Variety (November 1909)

TEN CENTS i VOL. XVI., NO. 10. NOVEMBER 13, 1909. PRICE TEN CENTS. VAUDEVILLE MANAGERS LEFT CHICAG O WITHOU T MEETING Neither Beck nor Morris had Much to Say. Beck Re- turns and Comments on Albee's Joke Corporation. When asked concerning the cor- poration recently formed by Keith- Proctor-Williams and the other United Booking Offices managers for the pur- pose of "protection" in the east, Messrs. Beck and Meyerfeld refused to venture an opinion, although both seemed amused and complimented to find so much attention given to their activities. Mr. Beck said: "They seem to be going south instead of west, when they incorporate in Delaware, where apparently it is a case of syndicating ideas. One thing is certain: As long as I have my health and vigor these gentlemen can never count what brains I possess among their assets—they cannot be syndicated." Chicago, Nov. 11. While Martin Beck and William Morris were in Chicago this week they did not meet as far as known. There were many meetings, though, be- tween Beck, Morris Meyerfeld, Jr., C. E. Kohl, Herman Fehr, Max Anderson and others of the western group. Messrs. Beck and Meyerfeld left town Wednesday for Newark, it is said, and they will reach New York Friday, when another conference will be held. Whether the meetings of this week were of general business or for some special purpose, no one seems to know. It is reported Mr. Meyerfeld explained at length his efforts in the west to straighten out the Sullivan-Considine- Paritages snarl, brTngfhg those liircuifs into one booking office, and Mr. Beck told his confreres exactly how matters stand in the east. Mr. Beck was a?ked by a Variety rep- resentative what the chances were, of a meeting with Morris, and replied,there was nothing to the story of an affiliation between the Orpheum and the independent circuit.- Asked if the Orpheum Circuit or himself intended playing vaudeville in the east, Mr. Beck smiled and said he couldn't an- swer. Mr. Meyerfeld referred the same question to Mr. Beck for a reply, declining to discuss it. William Morris leaves here today for Indianapolis, going to Cincinnati and returning to New York Saturday. He had nothing to say regarding the many ru- mors about. Martin Beck was pushed very much into the public notice this week when E. F. Albee, general manager of the United Booking Offices, sent out an announce- ment he had formed a company (United Theatres Securities) incorporated in Dela- ware, for a couple of millions or so. The newspaper accounts said that the Dela- ware corporation was for the purpose of the United managers "invading the west" if "Beck came east." There was some curiosity what name to attract attention would be used if Keith 'invaded the west." A few suggested that perhaps it was the intention to bill the opposition shows to the Orpheum Cir- cuit as "Keith's Moving Pictures," relying upon the great strides made by the Keith Picture Circuit in this line in the east. When the vaudeville people stopped laughing long enough to calmly view Al- bee's bombastic proclamation, they ex- pressed surprise that so astute an indi- vidual as Mr. Albee has been reputed to be, with no suspicion so far of any mental unsoundness, should have confirmed all the stories - ' and "reports of - - a - Beek-Merris amalgamation and the "Beck's Coming East" slogan. Vaudevillians were asking on Monday bow many of the incorporators of the couple of million Delaware corporation knew about it before the papers did. All (Continued on page 21.) BUYS WINNIPEG SITE. Chicago, Nov. 11. Martin Beck has announced that while he and Morris Meyerfeld, Jr., of the Or- pheum Circuit, were in Winnipeg last Saturday, they purchased a lot on Sixth Street there for a new Orpheum, upon which work will be commenced at once. Mr. Beck says he had an offer of a house standing to play vaudeville, but preferred to build. HANGS THRICE DAILY. The Joe Wood Agency is exploiting a brand new feature. It is Deltow, a west- ern acrobat and strong man who makes a specialty of being hung by the neck three times daily. The usual "committee' is invited upon the stage from the audience to watch the regulation hangman's knot being tied just below Deltow's left ear. The "death defier" is then hauled from his feet and left suspended by a rope for several minutes. Joe says this act is going to be a sensation. SUCCESSFUL "BONE SETTER." Chicago, Nov. 11. Dr. Carl Herman, the English augestyo- ligest (bone setter), has proven one of the biggest successes ever on the Sullivan- Considine time, according to Paul Goudron. It is the style of act which has had its chances of success in New York much dis- cussed of late. $25,000 DAMAGES AGAINST GOTCH. Chicago, Nov. 11. Suit for breach of promise was com- menced Tuesday against Frank Gotch, the champion wrestler of the world, by Sadie Curry, who asks damages to the amount of $25,000. Gotch declares he does not know her. Sadie's lawyers says Gotch is fooling. •*•- - — KOLB AND DILL'S "POLE" PIECE. San Francisco, Nov. 11. Charlie Royal has completed a new piece for Kolb and Dill entitled "At the North Pole." It will be produced within a few weeks. THROUGH WITH HIPPODROME? Cleveland, Nov. 11. The local papers have printed reports that B. F. Keith will abandon the Hippo- drome next February, when bis lease expires. The Hippodrome has been losing about $2,000 weekly according to the stories around. Admission prices have been re- duced until hundreds of seats in the big playhouse have been selling at ten cents to see "Keith's Vaudeville." The Hippodrome has made a pretense of "reducing" to fight smaller picture houses here, but showmen say the Hip. is an im- possible proposition for Keith. The big house was taken by the Bos- ton picture-vaudeville magnate to fore- stall William Morris in the leasing of the house. As an "opposition" addition to the list of the United Booking Offices, Mr. Keith ordered that the Hippodrome be carried on the books of the United. The> weekly loss in Cleveland helps to swallow whatever profits the New York head- quartrs make, leaving Keith only the glory and worry of steering a "white elephant." OFFERING NEW ORLEANS HOUSE. The American, New Orleans, formerly GrccnwalPs, is on the market, according to an authentic report. The American is now playing vaude- ville in the Crescent City. Onless some disjK>sition is made of the house within the next week or so it will close the vaudeville entertainment, anvwav. Wil- lia<m Morris furnishes the programs. Yesterday a representative of Green- wall & Weis, who own the propenty, con- ferred with Snm Scribner, general man- ager of the Columbia Amusement Co. (Kastcrn Burlesque Wheel), looking to- ward the resumption of the former bur- lesque policy there. Ijist season the Kastcrn Wheel played its attractions at Green wall's. kOLDtNG OVER FEATURES. Chicago, Nov. 11. Harry Lauder (American) and Albert Chevalier (Majestic) will be here another week. Both seem to be drawing 'Well. The former was given an ovation when he arrived Monday morning.