Variety (February 1910)

VARIETY WESTERNERS ACTIVE. There is a report generally credited that the Empire CSrcuit Oo. (Western Bur- lesque Wheel) has secured either by lease or by option a site on East 42d Street near Third Avenue for the erection of a new burlesque theatre. This will be in opposition to the Murray Hill, an East- ern Wheel stand in the same immediate neighborhood. President James J. Butler, of the Em- pire Co., has been in New York since late last week and fixed the deal. Another rumored Western stand is the Bowdoin Square, Boston. This house has undergone a number of changes in policy in connection with stock. If it becomes a Western Wheel spoke it will probably be under the direction of Dr. Lothrop, who may handle it in connection with the Howard. Baltimore, Feb. 2. It is accepted in theatrical circles in this city that deals were closed last week for the erection of two theatres, one by the Empire Circuit Oo. and one by William Morrris. Both theatres, it is reported, will be erected on Fayette Street, opposite Ford's Opera House, which is in the centre of the first class theatrical district. Baltimore has at present one theatre operated by the Empire Circuit (West- ern Burlesque Wheel), the Monumental, which has always enjoyed a liberal patronage. Morris, although not direct- ly operating here, books the Victoria, a "pop" house. Boston, Feb. 2. The Howard and the Bowdoin Square "swapped" this week. The Howard ran straight vaudeville bill, headed by John L. Sullivan and Jake Kilrain, followed by a long string of acts booked by Ed. Kelley of Boston and Phil Hunt of New York. At the Bowdoin Square, which is under the same Lothrop ownership, the bill was a combination of Montague's "Fashion Plates" and vaudeville added by the house. The explanation given at the Howard was that the "Fashion Plate," being more to the musical than to the burlesque, was bet- ter placed over at the Bowdoin Square, which has dropped its melodrama alto- gether and is running vaudeville. Next week the Howard resumes Western Wheel shows, beginning with the Lady Buccaneers. READING WILL HAVE ENOUGH. Reading, Feb. 2. The will be enough entertainment in this city next season. The Moving Pic- ture Co. of America has secured a lease of the Bijou, and it will be rebuilt at a cost of $26,000. The erection of two new theatres within half a block of the Bijou will be commenced March 1. One will be built by Bayble Bros, and the other by Theo. C. Aumen. Both will be devoted to vaudeville. These, with the Orpheum and Grand Opera House, will make five vaude- ville houses in Reading. THE ACTORS' FUND FAIR. Preparations, going forward as rapidly as possible, indicate that the Actors' Fund annual fair and festival, to be held weeic starting May !), next, will be one of the greatest Charity bazaars ever known. A promise has been obtained from President Taft that he will open the fair. FENNESSY INJURED. Cincinnati, Feb. 2. Col. James E. Fennessy, secretary of the Empire Circuit Co. and business manager of the People's, Heuck's and Lyric here, is in Christ's Hospital where an operation was performed Friday to relieve him from the results of an accident. While descend- ing a ladder in the gymnasium where he exercises, the manager fell and severely injured himself. PLAYING "PERCENTAGE" FEATURE. "Percentage features" are at high tide on the Mozart Circuit just now. In four of the Mozart houses playing the "smaller time" acts, Edw. Mozart, the general manager, has engaged features, recruited from the "big houses," but which have "open time" for a few weeks. With these hcadliners, Mr. Mozart agrees that upon the acceptance of a guarantee the act shall participate in the gross receipts over a certain amount. This line of book- ing leaves it to the feature to attest its drawing powers. All the "percentage fea- tures" engaged are comedy acts, generally "productions." The other day Mr. Mozart, while speaking of features, mentioned he is the first vaudeville manager to make this a permanent institution in the conduct of his circuit. The "percentage" plan has been often invoked both by managers and acts at intervals, but never successively. There are other Mozart houses, but four only are selected to play the special at- tractions. In each of the four towns, capable of supporting a heavy act, there is some opposition in the way of "picture houses." On this point Mr. Mozart em- phatically declares that from a study and observation made by him "five and ten- cent vaudeville is dead in this country." The Mozart houses have an admission scale running to fifty cents (box seats). COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. Evansville, Ind., Feb. 2. Anna Nichtern, assistant treasurer of the Majestic Theatre, was married Jan. 29 at Mt. Vernon, Ind. The marriage was a surprise to everybody. Buckley had a dog act at the Majestic. The groom met Miss Nichtern just eight days ago and it was a case of love at first sight. Miss Nichtern has been at the Majestic for the past two years. The couple left for Chicago. Chicago, Feb. 2. Frank Schindler, who plays piano for Vic Hugo at Cedar Rapids, got married in a hurry last week. Schindler left Cedar Rapids Sunday night after the show, ar- riving in Chicago Monday at 9 a. m. r got his license and was married at once, re- turning in time to rehearse the new show in the afternoon. HIPPODROME FOR GILMORE. Oswego, N. Y., Feb. 2. Charles P. Gilmore this week closed his option on the property of the Vulcan Iron Works in West Second Street, notifying the owners that he would sign a long term lease on the property. On the site he will build a theatre called the Hippodrome with accommodations for 900 persons. Popular priced vaudeville will be the policy. PURSUED BY HOODOO. Lew Adams, comedian with. "The Star Show Girls," has been a member of that organisation for four seasons, but has not been able to finish out a complete tour up to date. Last year he broke his leg dur- ing a performance in Brooklyn. This week the show is in Philadelphia, but Adams is no? with it, being laid up with a severe illness at 411 East 120th street, New York, and indications are that he will not be able to rejoin for some time. HARTFORD THEATRE FOR "POP." Hartford, Feb. 2. The control of the Hartford Theatre, playing high-class attractions, has passed from the Shuberts to the United Amuse- ment Co., a firm of picture and "pop" vaudeville promoters, who will install that form of entertainment next season. M. M. Mark is general manager of the United, a corporation operating some twenty the- atres, with headquarters in Buffalo. Hartford, Feb. 2. E. B. Ohadsey has made arrangements to introduce vaudeville and moving pic- tures at the Hartford Theatre, thus steal- ing a march on Morris, who is understood to have had an eye on the theatre. The Schuberts have been booking attractions nt the Hartford all season, but the shows have not drawn well and following the appearance of 'The Midnight Sons" the Schuberts withdrew from the local field. Rumor then had it that Morris was after the house to install vaudeville in op- position to Poli, but announcement was made today that the house will be closed until Feb. 14 when it will be opened as a vaudeville and picture establishment. The prices will be 5, 10 and 15 cents. SHEA'S OPENING POSTPONED. Toronto, Can., Feb.-2. Shea's new theatre at Richmond and Victoria Streets, will not open until next season, according to an announcement made this week. It was hoped to have it in readiness by the first of the year, but when this was found to be impossible, all thought of opening it before next Sep- tember was abandoned. It is believed that the old Shea's Thea- tre will be converted into a "pop" vaude- ville and moving picture establishment. NEW PORTLAND FOR U. B. 0. Portland, Me., Feb. 2. The new Portland Theatre, which is rapidly nearing completion, will show moving pictures and play vaudeville acts booked by the U. B. O. "Family Depart- ment." The acts will be of about the 6ame class as those which are used at the Keith & Proctor picture places in Bangor and Lew is ton, and they may be routed into those houses. The Green Amusement Co. has built the new Port- land and J. N. Greely will be its local manager. GREEN ROOM'S REHEARSAL. On Sunday evening, Feb. 13, the Green Room Club will give its seventh annual dress rehearsal on the stage of the New York Theatre. The entertainment will include contributions from members of the club. R. H. Burnside, of the Hippo- drome, will be stage manager and pro- ducer. OONSTDINE GOING ABROAD. Chicago, Feb. 2. John Oonsidine is expected in Chicago about Saturday with his family, who will accompany him to Europe. During his absenoe Fred Lincoln will go North to Seattle and take full charge of the Sul- tivan-Considine Circuit. SETTLING TITLES. Acting for Myra (Mrs. Joe) Keaton, Denis F. O'Brien this week took title to four lots from the Coney Island Boulevard and Realty Co. Mr. O'Brien states tha Mrs. Keaton now has clear title and th case is adjusted. Titles have also been received for Billie Burke, John Iind and Guy Hoppe from the same company. Coney Island and Boulevard Oo. is a different concern from the Vaudeville Investment Corporation and the settlements mentioned above do not refer to the latter. NICK NORTON OBLIGES. From Nick Norton, who is resting up a bit at his home in Mt. Clemens, Mich., Vabiety has received a copy of the pro- gram which shows Denman Thompson's last apearance in vaudeville, previous to his recent plunge. It was at the Coliseum, Chi- cago (now the Grand Opera House) and "Joshua Whitcomb" was then (Feb. 18. 1877) played for the first time in two act form. Julia Wilson was featured as "Tot," the other characters being taken by per- formers then appearing in the Coliseum bill. Nicolo Norton, who was stage man- ager of the house, ployed Sam Foster, county sheriff. So successful was the former sketch in its two act form, that a third act was im- mediately added and under the manage- ment of J. M. Hill (who was then inter- ested in th? Coliseum) the play started on its way to fame and fortune for the gentle- man who is now playing a two weeks' engagement at the Fifth Avenue with the story again condensed into sketch form. Mr. Norton is now connected with the John P. Harris Amusement Co., of Pitts- burg. He took charge of the Grand Opera House, Wilmington, for the Harris inter- ests Dec. 20, last, and remained there un- til a fortnight ago when a return attack of nervous rheumatism compelled him to go home for the benefit of the waters at Mt. Clemens. Upon his recovery he will resume his activities under the Harris management. THEATRE OFFERS PRIZE. A ~ Chicago, Feb. 2. %} Souvenir matinees and the like are very popular with the managers of the 10 and 20 cent vaudeville houses which are so numerous in Chicago. It is not unusual for rather costly souvenirs to be given away. C. S. Hatch, manager of the New Lin- den Theatre, is going other managers a step better in the way of prizes and has announced that the most popular lady in Englewood will receive a ticket to New- York on the Twentieth Century Limited, another ticket for her husband or a com- panion, and the expenses of the two for a week in Gotham. One vote is given with a 10-cent ticket and two votes with a 20-cent ticket.