Variety (December 1909)

11 VARIETY HAMMERSTEIN'S. In spite of a downpour of rain which the wind blew in sheets around the whole surface of Manhattan Island Monday night the house filled almost to capacity when the audience was all in. They strolled along until Valeska Suratt started to close the first half, which indicated that she was the magnet and made it further evident that there would have been a monster turn-away given an even break with the weather. In first position Joe Cook (New Acts) passed fairly well. The Two Pucks fol- lowed. Away from the grasp of Gerry they lose the charm of childhood which formerly tinged their act with interest, and now come into evidence on their merits as entertainers. Monday night, on "No. 2," they found trouble before the light house until the "Merry Widow" wrestling-dance which capped their act with a finish which brought them rousing recalls. A number of acts on the program with pianos forced the Pucka, who also have one, into the early place. Fred Bond and Co. entered third with "My Awful Dad," but the laughs came wide apart. The warming up process worked out when Stepp, Mehlinger and King held the stage, for they gave the spectators just what they seemed to want, putting across the biggest hit of the even- ing. The chap who sang made old songs seem new. Following intermission Armstrong and Clark began proceedings with a snap. The funny "slide and fall" which the black- face member of the firm has invented, was good for a laugh every time he pulled it and for the singing and piano playing there was warm appreciation. Their parody on "Carrie Marry Harry" pro- voked a scream for the finish in "one" but, recalled many times, they stopped right there. "Swat Milligan," with little Vienna Bol- ton the shining star, got laughs for points all the way. Miss Bolton fairly captured the sketch and held it for her own. Eighth was a hard spot for comedy talk and some singing but Smith and Campbell held their own without losing a listener. They are doing an interchange of laugh material which is right up to their standard. Preceding the pictures and going on within five minutes of eleven o'clock Ergotti and Lilliputians (New Acts) held their audience well. Four of the nine acts on the bill had a piano. Walt. DESCRIBING THE ACT. Boston, Dec. 15. The following is a sample of many let* ters received here by the managers of the "small time" houses from acts seek- ing to place their own engagements: "Woonsocket, R. I. "Manager, Pastime, Boston. "Dear Sir: Rice and Derosiers are look- ing for an engagement the week of Nov. 28. We are comedy jugglers and off the slack wire. I will give you an idea of a part of our act which lasts from 10 to 15 minutes, maybe a little longer some- times. "Juggling 3-4-5 balls, juggles 3 balls in back, 3 balls while standing. Keeps juggling while getting in a lying position on back till head touches the flooV. Keeps juggling until he gets on his feet again. "Does other kinds of juggling with the balls, juggles swinging clubs in all new styles, which are very difficult. Does hat and cane trick, lamp on horse whip on his chin while standing and getting in a stooping position same as juggling three balls on his back on the floor. "Juggles three and four knives, aame as balls. "Juggles five knives and five clubs and baton club. All these tricks are done on the floor and on the slack wire, too. "There is also lots of comedy work going on all the time, including • many new and comical ones. "We also do a talking and singing act if called upon to do so. We do our act for $40 double. "If you have an open date and would like our act please let me know at once. "Respectfully, "(Signed) Rice and Derosiers, "Comedy Jugglers. "P. S.: No photographs." FREIGHTING COLORED TROUPE. Washington, D. C, Dec. 15. The Inter-State Commerce Commission has been called upon by one Joseph Chap- polle, manager of a company of colored singers, to force several railroads to trans- port his troupe in two private cars on passenger trains instead of linking them in with freight trains. In defending themselves the railroad men declared that the condition of the colored company's two palace cars was such that they could not be hauled on fast trains. SMOKATIOIN BT JOHN P. REED. It's delightful to tour the country with a utlnstrol organisation, When the food supply comprise* the choicest vegetation; When your train of Pullmans doesn't stop at every station, And your wardrobe embraces erery known Broadway creation. When at 11:40 you get no Invitation To stroll around the town behind the musical aggregation, When your engagements are all of long duration, Where the theatres and scenery defy all imitation. It's delightful, when at times you're prone to dissipation, And imbibe to the extent of jovial Intoxication; The mansger tenders you a much needed short vacation, And pays to you, on salary day, your full remuneration. When you enjoy week tc week Mill the season's termination The heartiest approval of a swsgger congregation; See your name emblasoned in electrical Illumination. And all the press comment meets your approbation. Again I ssy (though with some hesitation; It's delightful at each performance to deliver your oration With impunity, and with no fear of lta appropriation, By some contemporsry with a "choosing" reputation. SETTLING CANCELLATIONS. Chicago, Dec 15. Harrigan and Giles, booked to play seventeen weeks on Western Vaudeville Association time, were cancelled at The Temple, Grand Rapids, last week, and have complained to the White Rats. When the matter was brought to the at- tention of C. E. Bray he offered the act seven weeks' work, but as Harrigan and Giles decided in the meantime to return to New York they accepted a week's salary instead. It is said that the team has twenty weeks in the east. Leigh and Shone, who were cancelled by the United Booking Agency at the Irving owing to the house reverting to stock, settled with Washburne & Irving by accepting new time. The United is conducted by very young men who signed the contract as principals. They will not do it again. Shaw and Sargeant cancelled last Sep- tember at Joliet and holding a claim against Lew Goldberg, at that time the manager, have accepted $25 and two weeks' work as a balm. Lew Rose, who had a controversy with Max Weber, agreed to an amicable settle- ment when Walter Keefe acted as peace- maker. Beecher and Mayo are at the Trocadero this week. They were booked there once before and cancelled. They take this week's work in settlement. HOPKINS' ESTATE IN COURT. St. Louis, Dec. 15. Blanche C. Hopkins, widow of John D* Hopkins, who died here several weeks ago, has applied to the Circuit Court to have set aside two transfers of personal property which Col. Hopkins made last August. He then transferred to a trustee $20,000 of park circuit and realty stock for his daughters, Emma and Ethel, by his first marriage. His first wife obtained a divorce from him and is now living in the east. Blanche C. Hopkins claims that the transfers of personal property which Col. Hopkins made to his daughters defeats her dower rights. OPPOSITION FOR STRAUSS. For several years Frank V. Strauss has had what has practically amounted to a monopoly of the theatre program pub- lishing business in New York and Brook- lyn. With the exception of some of the minor theatres he has furnished the play bills for everything in the line of thea- trical entertainment hereabouts. With the start of the present season opposition sprang up in the firm of the Major-Allen Program Co., which now print for four of the Rhubert theatres (Comedy, Maxine Elliott, West End and Broadway). When the Nazimova Theatre, which the Shuberts are building in Thirty- ninth Street, near Broadway, is ready to open that program will be added to the list. Next season the Major-Allen pro- gram list will run to twenty houses, it is said. THE UNION DID IT. Out in Cleveland a couple of weeks ago Manager Wolf, of the Plata Theatre, can- celled Mullay and Winzel on three day's notice. As a member of the Actors' Union, Mullally went to the Central La- bor Council in Cleveland with his griev- ance, and last Saturday obtained satisfac- tory settlement of his claim. TRYING FOR SETTLEMENTS. The Vaudeville Investors' Co., a land speculation scheme in which several vaude- ville artists have become interested, is re- ceiving the attention of Denis F. O'Brien, the attorney. For several weeks now Mr. O'Brien has been working to secure a settlement for several of his clients, who are demanding deeds in return for monies paid in to the company for that purpose. Among Mr. O'Brien's clients are Joe Keaton, with $2,600 to his credit some- where on the books of the company, and Billie Burke, with an account of $3,000 paid. There are several others. The principal promoter of the Vaudeville Investors' Co., or at least the most in- terested person connected with it in the effort to secure the actors' money was Will M. Cressy. Creasy is said to have disposed of all his holdings in the com- pany before the slump occurred. While Cressy was president of the Vaudeville Comedy Club, and during the early days of the organization of the com- pany, it was often related how Mr. Cressy ordered a recess during the meetings, to personally solicit subscriptions for the land scheme. It fa also said that Cressy remained around the club rooms after ad- journment for the same purpose. There are several letters written by Cressy in evidence where he "presumed" consider- ably in writing to prospective or present subscribers to the stock. In course of time Francis J. Quimby, who had been a solicitor for the company, became general manager. The proposal of Mr. Quimby's name as a member of the Comedy Club, with a motion to let down the bars which permitted only artists to join, caused an upheaval in the club at the moment, afterwards smoothed over. A proposition lately made by Mr. O'Brien for the clearing up of all entangled matters concerning his clients' relations with the Vaudeville Investors' Co. was re- jected. Several explanations asked for by the lawyer on behalf of his clients could not be secured. He is arduously pursuing his investigations, and the results are ex- pected to shortly become public. HEAPLINEBS NEXT WEEK Valeska Suratt, Hammerstein's. Carrie De Mar, Colonial. Dazie, Alhambra. Otis Harlan and Co., Fifth Avenue. Eltinge, Pauline, Grace Hazard and Cliff Gordon (splitting top line), American. Montgomery and Moore, Plaza, Simon and Gardner, Bronx. Hetty King, Orpheum. George Laahwood, Fulton. Bond and Benton, Greenpoint. CHICAGO. "Phantastic Phantoms," American. Cressy and Dayne, Majestic CINCINNATL Ourzon Sisters, Columbia. R. A. Roberts, Orpheum. NEW ORLEANS. "Bathing Girls," Orpheum. Severin, American. BOSTON. Henri French, Keith's. Four Mortons, American. When answering advertisement* kindly mention Variety.