Variety (November 1909)

VARIETY THEATRE GOES TO C. * H. The ait theatre proposed for the corner of 43d Street and Broadway will pass over to Cohan k Harris, or a corporation called the Geo. M. Cohan Amusement Co., of which Sam H. Harris, Denis F. O'Brien and Wank Tate are the incorporators. This is the site reported as under tne control of Martin Beck for an elaborate music hall in New York. The announce- ment was made this week that Mr. Beck found the capacity would not permit of his scheme going through. The connection of Mr. Tate with the corporation taking over the new theatre indicates that Mr. Beck has not lost his | interest. DARK CLOUDS GATHER. Chicago, Nov. 4. Willie Hyde has signed up Jack Johnson for four weeks to open at the Star and Garter, Nov. 8, Pittsburg and a week each at the Gayety and Star, Brooklyn, to fol- low with only one week off between. Jake Sternad claims to have the cham- pion signed up also and declares that if Johnson opens at the Hyde & Behman house Sunday he will apply for an in- junction. Jake claims to have the negro pugilist booked for the Empire, Indian- apolis, for the week of the 8th with the Haymarket, Chicago to follow. As the Haymarket is located directly across the street from the Star and Garter there is much local interest in the affair. Sternad claims to have signed the pugi- list before his recent jump to New York to close articles for the Jeffries match. The funny part of the story is that im- mediately after signing with Hyde, John- son walked over to Jake's office and pre- sented him with a photo taken at the Albany Hotel at the time of his meeting with Jeffries and assured the independent agent that everything was "O. K. for In- dianapolis next week." > LEGAL SERVICES APPRAISED. Judgment for $200 has been obtained against Maude Odell by her former attor- ney, Clifford M. Beare. Mr. Beare sued the English poser for services rendered in the actidn brought against William Morris, but which was discontinued. House, Grossman & Vor- haus appeared for the actress. Geo. M. Leventritt, the Morris attorney, was called as a witness by both sides. He testified that in his opinion, Mr. Beare's legal services on behalf of Miss Odell wore worth about $200. That was the amount of the verdict the court directed. Beare asked for $450. The judgment is being settled by a series of weekly payments. ROCHEZ'S MONKS' HIT. Chicago, Nov. 4. Without featuring any particular simian Rochez's "Night in a Monkey Music Hall" at the Majestic has scored as big a hit in the same theatre as did Mar- tin Beck's "monk" "Charles the First," which preceded him there. * -The'Rochez act, contatnlflg'a number of the nimble-footed creatures, is in the sec- ond week at the Kohl & Castle theatre. HOW IT IS DONE. Chicago, No. 4. The Actor's Church Alliance of Chicago is no more. In its place an organisation is being formed which will be called "The Playgoers' Club." It will "uplift the stage without church interference or ad- vice." The "Alliance," which has been living a stormy life for some time, came to grief at the Grand Pacific Hotel Monday after- noon when the officers and a majority of the members resigned their positions and affiliated with the club on account of "per- sonalities" entering into the work. It appears that more than one member of the Alliance sought to be headlined In its work. Thus rival press agents were disposed to boost rival heads in news- paper discussion of the "good work" and this resulted in petty spites and troubles of various kinds; all of which led to the final disruption of the Alliance. Dr. Nathaniel I. Rubinkam resigned the presidency, Ellen M. Sanders resigned the secretaryship, Rev. Dr. James Blake re- signed the vice-presidency and Mrs. Frank Warren Holder resigned the treasurership. Fifteen members, who were present at the meeting, also resigned. DE HAVEN DIVORCE DEFENDANT. Papers were served upon Carter De Haven late last week in a suit for di- vorce, brought by Flora Parker (Mrs. De Haven). The defendant has twenty days in which to file an answer to the allegations con- tained in Mrs. De Haven's complaint. Un- less a settlement is made meanwhile, the papers in the case will then become public if the court does not order other- wise. All the time held by Carter De Haven over the United circuits Is reported to have been cancelled. The cancellation was not through the unpleasant notoriety the De Havens received in the New York papers last week by reason of their mar- ital differences, but on account, according to the story, of De Haven demanding $1,000 as salary to remain at the Fifth Avenue for the third week. He was billed at Keith's, Boston, for this week, but did not appear there. It is said that De Haven was engaged for the Fifth Avenue for the first week at $500, with an understanding that if he "made good," his salary would be $760 for future engagements in United houses. De Haven was held over for the second week. During this time he had been taken under the personal direction of E. F. Aubee, it is said. (Edw. S. Kellar had been De Haven's agent.) When arrange- ments for the third week at the Keith- Proctor house were spoken of De Haven is reported to have demanded $1,000. Al- bee set forth the honor of remaining at the Fifth Avenue for three consecutive weeks as an offset, but Carter could not see the point, when Albee declared every- thing off. including himself as "personal director." REJOINS "THE FOLLIES." Chicago, tfov. 4. Kva Tanguay rejoined the cast of "The Follies" at the Colonial this week. Raymond* Hiibbeir and TTarry B. Smith nre authors of "The Air King," now* in rehearsal, in which Klaw & Erlanger will star Johnnie Slavin. Harry Williams has contributed some interpolated numbers. The show opens in Chicago Nov. 15, a week late, owing to the unexpired de- parture of May De Souaa from the cast. SHUBERTS OPEN AUDITORIUM. Denver, Nov. 4. The Shuberts opened the Auditorium as their local stand last Monday evening with a sell-out audience. The place seats 4,200. On Monday afternoon but 700 tickets were left in the rack. Louise Gunning in "Marcelle" was the first attraction. Both the principal and show were highly praised by the local press. Next Monday "The Gay Musician" stops over at the Auditorium for a week. The advance sale for that at present is nearly as heavy as for the premiere. The Auditorium passing to the Shubert management under an arrangement with the city officials caused a great deal of comment at the time. The other theatri- cal managers in town feared the opposi- tion of the big house, but now claim they are not worried, even with the huge suc- cess of the first night. With the prices at from 25 cents to a dollar, and with a good line of attractions, there isn't any question but that the Auditorium will be the star show place of Denver. It looks like a success every way. BECK'S "MONK" IN TRISCO. San Francisco, Nov. 4. The management of the Orpheum sprung i great surprise last week. After putting out paper and announcements for this week's bill, the announcement was made that "Charles the First" had arrived and would make his initial appearance Oct. 31. Even the ushers, doorkeepers and box office staff were in blissful ignorance that His Majesty was luxuriously domiciled in a handsome suite at the Orpheum Annex Hotel next door. It was a clever coup and greatly sur- prised the dramatic men of the newspapers who were informed over the 'phone that "Charles I" was waiting for them to call and pay their respects. The smaller managers were in some instances greatly discomfited by the announcement. THE BRONX OPENS. The new Bronx Theatre under the man- agement of Percy G. Williams opened last Monday night. It is situated at 149th Street and Third Avenue. The Bronx has a seating capacity of about 1,800. It is understood that the rental under the arrangement for the lease of the theatre is $35,000 yearly. The opening program held Chevalier, Ryan and Richfield, Ed. Morton, Farrell- Taylor Trio, Wentworth, Vesta and Teddy, Wormwood's Monkeys, Avery and Hart, Ryan and White, and "The Piano- phiends." Some time between the Monday even- ing performance and the Tuesday n»atinec at the Bronx Theatre, unknown vendals ruined the eostumes worn by the Indies with Jesse Laskey's "Pianophiends." The dressing room doors eould not be locked, it is asserted. The costumes wore newly made for the purpose of being worn at the Bronx opening. The ladies re- turned to the use of their old costumes. REPORTED SUN HOUSE. Louisville, Ky., Nov. 4. The new Walnut Street Theatre now in construction, will be completed about Jan. 15; it is to cost $125,000 and will play vaudeville. It is said tha' 4 he agent is to be Cus Sun. The capacity is 000. STERNAD OPENS OFFICES. Chicago, Not. 4. Jake Sternad had the big day of his career last Saturday. In the history of Chicago theatricals no man has ever been given such an ovation as was extended to Sternad, culminating at night In a gath- ering at the Saratoga Cafe. Sternad's new booking offices at 167 Dearborn Street were thrown open early Saturday morning. It used up nearly all the forenoon to arrange the floral decora- tions sent him by business and personal friends and artists now appearing under his direction. During the day Sternad received the congratulations of hundreds of well-wish- ers, and at night an enjoyable function was well attended. WEBER WANTS PROFITS, TOO. The suit brought by Joe Weber against a southern railroad was called a few days ago, and will come to trial in the Supreme Court here within' two weeks. Fields raises a novel point in this suit which arises out of the railroad's failure to de- liver the scenery and effects of "The Merry Widow and the Devil" at a Wash- ington theatre in time to give a perform- ance. The incident occurred last year. Fields claims not only the actual loss of money returned for the performance, but likewise possible profits beyond this amount which, it is estimated, would have been made had the railroad not mode it impossible. The case will determine how the rail- road is responsible in a case of this sort. MILLIE PAYNE. Millie Payne, whose pictures of herself in persona propria and character, appears on the cover page of this week, arrived in New York Oct. 24 on the Caronia, and was the topic of much discussion. Within twenty-four hours after her arrival Miss Payne was under contract to play the Percy Williams houses, opening Monday last at the Orpheum, Brooklyn. Upon her debut Miss Payne scored an immediate success. Her style of work has never been seen here before. It is not only the songs themselves, but her personality, quaint- ness and mannerisms. She is no more nor less than a clever portrayer of clever "Cockney" characters. Miss Payne is famous in England as the originator of her own style of business. The favorite character is that in which she portrays "The Cockney School Kid," an exact reproduction of a sketch of the late Phil May, and she is known as the originator of a burlesque on the much- discussed "Directoire" gown. Every garment used by Miss Payne for stage wear is over sixty years old, and was originally worn by her great-grand- mother. Miss Payne is under the sole manage- ment of Pat Casey. The Knglishwoman appears at the Alhambra and the week following at the Colonial. New York. MRS. HOPKINS DIES. •VfrH.- John D. - Hopkins -die4 . in the ^ Jamaica Hospital, Long Island, Wednes- day night. She never recovered from tbo slifK-k attendant upon the news of her husband's death. ll»*r daughters, the Hopkins Sisters, left Seattle last Sunday. The docea^d divorced the late Col. flop- kins some years ago.