Variety (November 1909)

VARIETY ^*i MORRIS CLOSES FOR FRISCO SITE TOUCHING ORPHEUM Takes Thirty-Year Lease Upon Property Adjoining Western Circuit's Coast Stand. Has St. Louis Coliseum Also. San Francisco, Nov. 11. Walter Huff Seely, the representative of William Morris' Western Inc., this • week closed a deal whereby that concern tttkes over for a term of thirty years the parcel of land on the north side of Ellis Street, just off Market Street, from the United Railroads Co., and building opera- tions will be commenced immediately on a theatre costing $250,000. The plot measures 97 x 137 feet and the completed theatre will have a seating capacity of 2,100. There is a touch of humor in the fact that the projected thea- tre, which the Orpheum people have made every effort to block, almost touches the back of the present Orpheum Circuit's house, the Morris stage being backed up against the other theatre's wall. The new building, which will be modeled upon the plans of the Empire, London, in all its details, will be ready for opening June 1 next. There is a clause in the Morris-United Railroads Go. under which the lessee may purchase the property at his option at any time within five years. Chicago, Nov. 11. Before William Morris left Chicago to- day he stated the Coliseum, St. Louis, is being remodeled, and that it will be cut down one-half. He will think over open ing there in albout five weeks with Harry Lauder as the feature, said Mr. Morris. Morris offered to wager $5,000 that his American in this city will play to more money this week than any vaudeville house here ever has. Lauder is the head- liner at the American. "THE YOUNG TURK" pPENS. Atlantic City, Nov. 11. 'The Young Turk," the new musical comedy, opened at the Apollo last night. The book is by Aaron Hoffman and the score by Max Hoffman. In the matter of costuming the producers have been prodigal and the scenic equipment is generous beyond description. Among those to score were Maude Raymond, whose best number was "Pro- posals," well worked up by a series of dialect verses. She divided honors with Max Rogers. The latter's conspicuous musical contribution was 'I'll Be Happy, Too." Other winning numbers were "I Thought I Wanted Opera," "Oriental Moon" and "The Parisian Glide." Ben Hendricks and Harry Cowan registered personal successes. An enthusiastic reception here gives promise of future success. LONDON HALL PASSING. London, Nov. 3. The next (and probably the last) anni- versary of the Middlesex Music Hall will occur Nov. 10. The hall, it is announced, will be sold in a few months' time by J. L. Graydon, known as "the Tony Pastor of English vaudeville." This passing of the Middlesex is an event in the history of the English stage, it was there that many of the present dtars were first seen. Mr. Graydon is a grand old man, loved by everyone in the profession. Perhaps the biggest man he brought out was Dan Leno. Marie Lloyd was also discovered by him. DID HER OWN CANCELING. Valeska Suratt and her sketch will ap- pear at Hammerstein's next Monday, hav- ing canceled her engagements there for this week. Billy B. Van and the Beau- mont Sisters were substituted in the head- line place. They are appearing at two houses this week, also playing the Fifth Avenue. The cancellation by Miss Suratt arrived at Hammerstein's Friday. Aaron Kessler. the Hammerstein representative, had gona to Atlantic Ofty, watched Miss Suratt's act at Young's Pier, and reported that it was in condition to appear on Broadway. Miss Suratt, however, claimed that a few minor incidents of the presentation required more attention, asking that her date be postponed for one, week to per- fect these. NEW SEATTLE ORPHEUM. Seattle, Nov. 11. Before John W. Considine left for the East, he announced that a new Orpheum will be erected upon the site at Third avenue and Madison street, to cost $300,000. It will ' replace the present Orpheum. There will be nothing better west of Chicago, said Mr. Considine. Building will commence in the spring. Considine stated he had secured a play- house in Kansas City, another in Cincin- nati and also in Milwaukee, remarking as well that be had purchased the Ameri- can, San Francisco. Mr. Considine is expected in New York daily. With him while here may be Fred T. Lincoln, general manager of the Sul- livan-Considine Circuit. NEWKIRK A BOOKING AGENT. Chicnpo, Nov. 11. W. V. Newkirk, the well-known and popular manager of the Haymarket. will enter the offices of the Western Vaudeville Association next week to become a book- ing agent, at the request of C. E. Bray, the W. V. A.'s general manager. C. E. Kohl, of the Kohl & Castle firm, who have the Haymarket, will appoint Mr. NewWrk's* successor. . * PAPER SHOW PREPARING. Chicago, Nov. 11. The Tribune's land show at the Coli- seum opens Nov. 20, and miniature models of several gigantic irrigation projects are being placed in preparation for the opening. S. C. COMPLAINT DISMISSED. Chicago, Nov. 11. The local Sullivan-Considine office is complying with the State law regarding employment agencies in every particular. The State Labor Commission made an in- vestigation upon complaint being made that that office was not doing so and found that the booking agents were wearing badges, that every piece of stationery sent out was properly stamped, that receipts were given artists, that a register was kept, that there was no "splitting" of per- centage with managers, and that the most complete records were kept to be found at any booking office in Chicago. H. C. Robertson, representative of the S.-C. interests here, directed this and his work has been done so well that It is a topic of general conversation. Paul Goud- ron, Sam DuVries, J. J. Nash and Gaston Goudron wear badges with their names upon them, anjj are not adverse to showing them when there is the least occasion. This being the case the complaints against that office were dismissed as the two members of the commission who made the inspection are quoted as saying that the Commission never did have any jurisdic- tion over the contract Sullivan Considine were asked to use, and acted only in an advisory capacity; thinking the adoption of the new contract the simplest way to remedy matters. The ex post facto theory came into the matter, as it was out of question to con- sider things which happened before the / new laws went into effect. It seems that the testimony concerned such happenings. Duke Darrow had made some statement regarding his calling and no name being entered in the register, but the S.-C. office showed that his wife had called two days preceding and the entry had been regularly made. Darrow did not know this. The troubles between the White Rats and the S.-C. office now appear to have been more imaginary than real. It seems that Harry Mountford, of the Rats, did not even honor the office with a personal visit and Robertson felt slighted. Mont- ford is said to have telephoned his de- mands. Robertson is reported to have expressed a willingness to comply with every portion of the law, but did not want to be "forced." This is in line with John Considine's well known policy. It Is gen- erally admitted that one can't "make" him do anything, but can "reason" easily. The S.-C. office is at present the only one complying with the law in every way, it is believed. All the stationery and circulars which leave the local S.-C. office now bear this stamp: "This agency, licensed by State Board of Com- missioners of Illinois, Springfield, Illinois, offlce of Chief Inspector of Agencies, 431 Wabash are- nne, Chicago, Illinois." "THREE DAILY" TWICE. The bill at the American, New York, j.layed three shows daily twice last week. A second night show was given Election Day, and this was repeated last Sunday, the Roof atop the American being placed in eerrroe both-times, -•--.-« • - ~ FRITZI SCHEFF STILL ILL. Louisville, Nov. 11. Fritzi Scheff, who arrived in her private car from Atlanta yesterday, has cancelled dates in three cities and is stopping with friends in this city. She is still suffering from a severe attack of tonsilitis. "STICKS UP" JOE BOGANNY. Joe Boganny was "stuck up" in Boston last Saturday, and obliged to pay $100 to release himself from the custody of the law, under which H. B. Marinelli proceeded to collect the amount of the judgment ob- tained against the comedy acrobat last spring in London. Marinelli sued Boganny for libel, alleged to be contained in an advertisement pub- lished in the English Performer, and which contained a quotation from Vabhtt. Boganny was not present to defend the suit, Marinelli securing judgment by de- fault Boganny has appealed the case and on the re-trial expected to have evidence to produce that there was no libel. One of Boganny's witnesses is William Morris. The general understanding is that Mr. Boganny would have no trouble in morally proving, anyway, that the article as printed stated the fact. It related mostly to the sending over to this country for Klaw ft Erlanger of a bogus Boganny troupe of acrobats. With the judgment obtained, however, and apparent vindication for Marinelli, no one supposed that under the circumstances the international agent-manager would de- mano>his pound of flesh. Marinelli did, though, sending instruc- tions to New York to attach Boganny, with the Boston incident following. To recover the amount paid over Boganny would prob- ably have to sue Marinelli, even if the judg- ment resting against him abroad should be reversed. Just how the whole operation occurred, and how Marinelli could secure the settle- ment of an English judgment in Boston, without suing the artist in this country as well, no one but a lawyer and Marinelli will understand. GOOD "INSPECTION" SCHEME. Baltimore, Nov. 11. This is "inspection" week at the Mary- land. After the Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday matinees the audience is in- vited to personally inspect the costumes worn by 'The Eight Geisha Girls" (Japa- nese) and the Makarenka troupe of Rus- sian Dancers. The resplendant costumes compose an exhibit that is gladdening the eye of the Baltimore woman. FIRST COLONIAL BILL. Indianapolis, Nov. 11. The first program at the new Colonial to be opened Nov. 22 with bills received through the Morris office will have among others Cecilia Loftus, Ed. Blondell and Co., Rivoli, Lamb's Manikins and Violin- sky. At first it was expected the house would open Nov. 15, but this was found impracticable. JOE HARTS "PEACHES." Alfred K. Hall, a western comedian with an eccentric dance concealed about him, has been engaged by Jos. Hart to head the latter's new act, taking the place of "Al Leech and the fRree Rose- buds" in the Hart list. The billing will be "Alfred K. Hall and the Three Peaches." The names of "The Peaches" remain with Mr. Hart. Herbert Cyril and Katherine Clifford will probably be signed for Mr. Hart's next production, "Broadway Sights." Doc Steiner will be impersonated in it.