Variety (October 1910)

VARIETY QUIET AFFILIATION WEEK. "All quiet along the Potomac" might be fittingly applied to the com- mittee meetings at which there was to be discussed the matter of the affilia- tion of the White Rats with the Am- erican Federation of Labor. The White Rats' side of the prop- osition is in the hands of Harry Mountford, Junie McCree and another member. The Actor's International Union also has a committee of three, while the seventh member of the com- mittee is delegated from the State Federation. During the week past there were no meetings, but it is believed that those concerned will get together re- garding the question early next week. It was said Wednesday that the regular weekly meeting of the White Rats in their club room a Tuesday night was a rather heated one; that the rank and file of the organization were up in arms over the request for affiliation with the National Federa- tion of Labor. The members of the order outside of the Board of Directors and Its secretary are reported to have been unaware of the proposed labor affilia- tion was on foot until informed by the article in Variety last week. The feeling was, according to report, that a matter of such grave im- portance, should have been brought up at a general meeting for discus- sion. It is now rumored that there is much doubt of an affiliation with the Rats and labor men under any circumstances. REHEARSALS POSTPONED. "The Lady's Man," in which Victor Moore Is to be starred by George Led- erer this season, went into rehearsal last week. After three days of work the company were informed that the rehearsals would be postponed inde- flnately. Mr. Lederer asked the company to wait but stated that if they had other opportunities offered he would not stand in the way of their accepting them. A REAL ROMANCE. A real romance of the stage will transpire next week when Mme. Emmy will remarry Karl Emmy. It is three years ago since Mme. Emmy divorced Karl. Lately Mme. retired from the stage, living privately in New York City. Early in the summer her former husband reached the Big Alley with about the classiest thing in an ani- mal act that vaudeville has produced. It is called Karl Emmy's Pets. Mr. Emmy received so many engagements in the East that he was a frequent visitor to the big city. Before Mme. Emmy left the variety stage, she had a dandy little animal act of her own, 'so good it has been missed. Wherefore when she and Karl met, they were on mutual conversational ground about "acts," and incidental to that the old lovemajdng started afresh. Everything was forgiven and for- gotten. Some day fiext week, the parted Emmys are to become one once more. FRAMING UP A CASE. A case to be carried before the Li- cense Commissioner is now in pro- cess of formation by the Denis F. O'Brien, attorney for the White Rats, from a general understanding which seems to prevail in agency circles. The facts as reported about are that an agency firm booked a single act Into a New York vaudeville theatre for $125. It was a week's engagement. The agents are said to have obtained the written consent of the act to play the week for $7 5. At the expiration of the engagement, the management paid the agents the stipulated salary, $125, and the agent gave the act $75, as agreed upon. The act (from the west) has had much switching between agents, since landing in New York. He spoke of the money matter afterwards. Reach- ing the Rats, it was taken up by Mr. O'Brien, who is said to have applied for a warrant under the new law for the arrest of the agency firm. The Assistant District Attorney attached to the police court, advised proceed- ings before the License Commission before a warrant should be obtained. The District Attorney raised the point that the agents had technically re- ceived no money from the actor, since the latter never had physical posses- sion of it, the payment having been made direct to the agents by the man- agement. The agency firm is one which claims to be the "representative" or "man- ager" of acts, and not engaged in the agency business. It is said that the agents depend upon a mutual agree- ment with signed papers to back up their contention of a lawful trans- action. The prosecution, if the matter comes before the Commissioner, will contend the agency is evading the new law, and conducting its business as an agent without a license. It is rumored that very shortly the Agency Law will be brought into court for an interpretation of all Its pro- visions, and to test its constitution- ality. PLANS FOR MUSIC HALL. The plans for the Lew Fields' Mu- sic Hall, to be the title applied to the remodelled American Horse Ex- change building at 50th street and Broadway when it is opened next De- cember, were filed last week. The alterations will cost approxi- mately $200,000. The renovation will include, besides the Music Hall, a cafe and restaurant on the Broadway and 50th street side, with the main en- trance being on Broadway. The Music Hall will measure 90x 157, stage 45x75 feet. The lower floor will have 1,200 seats, with 400 in the balcony, 25 boxes will help make a large seating capacity. COMMENCING TO TURN OVER. Evansville, Sept. 20. Because of a stated inability to se- cure a sufficient number of dramatic attractions to keep the Local Bijou in profitable operation. Jake Wells has decided to turn the theatre into a three-show a day house, booked by Simon's Princess Exchange, Louisville. Four acts and pictures will be given. Four shows Sunday. DIES OF YELLOW FEVER. Para, Brazil, Sept. 12. Mrs. Hattie Trefle died to-day of yellow fever. She was removed to the hospital Sept. 6. The deceased came to Para with the Nixon magical troupe, who opened Sept. 2, with five other American acts, booked for this point through Sidney I. Rankin, of New York City. The death prevented performances being given. The artists stated they were in no condition to appear to-day being greatly grieved by the sudden death. The acts booked through Rankin and who arrived together are the Nixon company, Nillson's Aerial Bal- let, Walthour Troupe of cyclists, Nel- son and Nelson, Cailonlte, and Blanche Sloane. There are other cases of yellow fever here. The Americans may ter- minate their engagement through dread of the scourage. At certain sea- sons of the year this section of the country is dangerous for foreigners to venture into, and Americans are warn- ed to avoid engagements. MORRIS' "FUTURITY WINNER." The Morris circuit has engaged "The Futurity Winner" for an en- gagement of twenty weeks this sea- son, to be played within thirty con- secutive weeks. The act was placed with Harry Leon- hardt, who has made an arrangement with Jos. Hart to reproduce Hart's for- mer successes. Mr. Leonhardt's first of this series was "Polly Pickle's Pets" which opened upon the American Roof in the summer. Mr. Lepnhardt is now conducting business as Harry Leonhardt, Inc., in the former offices of Rogers, Leonhardt & Curtis in the Knickerbocker The- atre building. It is understood Elmer F. Rogers and Fred Curtis have retir- ed from the firm. Mr. Curtis still re- tains desk room in the offices. How- ard Herrick, the press representative, is also there. FOREIGN "SPLIT" TOO. The United Booking Offices esteems the "split commission" scheme so highly that it is said no more connec- tions with foreign agents will be made unless the foreign as well as the nat- ive agents consent to a "split" of their five per cent. fee. This was learned last week when a foreign agent, in conjunction with another, submitted an application to E. F. Albee to act for the big agency. The new ruling regarding the for- eigners does not affect the agents who bring acts from abroad, now doing business with the United. E. E. AT IT AGAIN. Edward Evergreen Rice is at it again. This time It is to be a produc- tion of a Scottish piece called "Annie Laurie," and the veteran musical com- edy manager and producer has asso- ciated with him a William Flattery, who 18 at the head of the Cambride Amusement Company. The new production Is to go into rehearsal shortly. In its cast will be found Adelaide Cummlngs, who until last week was a member of a vaude- ville sketch called "The Old Flute Player." B. A. MYERS IN T. B. O. Chicago, Sept. 29. Barney Myers has joined issues with E. P. Churchill and Walter F. Keefe in the Theatrical Booking Corporation and will swing the acts which he is now booking to the new circuit, which will be increased in size and import- ance through the acquisition of several theatres between here and New York which Myers brings with him into the organization. Mr. Myers arrived in Chicago last Saturday and for two days was in con- sultation with Churchill and Keefe before it was generally known that he was in town. To a Variety represent- ative Myers said he has decided to swing his entire influence to the "T. B. C," having acquired a financial in- terest in the corporation. He will be- come eastern representative of the new "opposition" and will change his busi- ness methods from that of an artist's representative, exclusively, to the con- duct of a general booking agency. Although a definite statement was withheld, on the grounds of business policy, Myers stated that eight the- atres between here and New York will soon be added to the "T. B. C." books, and that more will subsequently be acquired. There is now a sufficient money representation, according to Churchill, who is business manager of the organization, to admit of acquiring theatres either by lease or outright purchase in towns where it seems de- sirable to have representation. Messrs. Myers, Churchill and Keefe were all positive in their statement that the "T. B. C." would not be af- filiated or allied with William Morris or any other existing circuit or com- bination of managers. The policy of the new corporation will be to estab- lish itself independent of everybody, to acquire the booking or management of theatres where their purposes will best be served to book acts and, on My- ers behalf, to continue representing Individual acts. Myers has arranged his affairs so that he can continue his former business exactly as before. Just at present the "T. B. C." is booking only the original Walter F. Keefe theatres and the Churchill houses in Peoria and Grand Rapids. Offices have been established In the Schiller building in the rooms Keefe has occupied all along. Since its for- mation Keefe and Churchill have been devoting most of their time to filling up their shows. WEBER AND FIELDS' PIECE. "An English Daisy" is an old piece that was produced by Weber and Fields. Will Philips, who appeared in "Havana" and other musical come- dies, together with Ollie Mack (formerly Murray and Mack) have booked by Alf T. Wilton. Each will play a familiar role. Flora de Kingsley is the female support. "SHAPIRO" GOES IN TORONTO. At 101 Yonge street. Toronto, Oct. 10, "Shapiro," the music publishing firm, will throw open another of its retail stores for the distribution of popular music at so much per copy. Clarice Vance is expected to open on the Morris Circuit Oct. 10.