Variety (November 1910)

VARIETY HOBOKEN WANTS THE AGENTS. The Terminal Building in Hoboken, located conveniently to the Hudson Tunnel entrance just across the North River, wants the theatrical agents of New York to look it over. The rumblings of dissatisfaction brought about by the new agency measure which has disrupted bookings and caused a general disturbance without benefitting any one excepting those who promoted it for the pub- licity obtained, seems to have reached outside the theatrical lines. E. L. Sawyer, agent for the Termi- nal building, is of the opinion that agents in the show business rather than be harrassed, will remove to an- other state. To that end he is offering his building for offices. There have been many threats of moving to Hoboken by the agents. One of the Commission men, Charles L. Basse, did so immediately the bill became a law. No one has heard of Mr. Sasse haled before the License Commissioner to explain why he didn't part his hair in the middle. CORINNE READY TO RETURN. After featured in two or three mu- sical comedies during the past couple of seasons, Corlnne is prepared to es- say vaudeville once again. Alf T. Wilton has the job of plac- ing Corlnne, who is ready for imme- diate time. RITCHIE WILL PLAY. Adele Ritchie will play for the Morris Circuit, opening Monday at Cincinnati. Early in the week it did not seem that way. Miss Ritchie al- leged she never executed the contract held by Morris, which bore a signa- ture purporting to be he/s. Monday the singer called at the American, having converse with Wil- liam Morris. Later Miss Ritchie was announced for a Morris show next week. Fred Ward is her booking rep- resentative. It was through the claim that Mr. Ward had no right to attach her name to a contract that the claim of no agreement was made. After the present vaudeville tour Miss Ritchie is to appear in a piece which will be produced by Dan V. Ar- thur. BOB COLE HOPELESS. A hopeless case of paresis Is the physical condition pronounced upon Bob Cole, of Cole and Johnson. Dr. Hayes of the Manhattan State Hos- pital, at Ward's Island, where Cole is confined, called at the office of M. S. Bentham Monday, to inform the agent of the diagnosis. Cole will become very violent, the physician said, and will never be able to appear upon the stage again. The colored singer and composer is with- out funds. A benefit may be ar- ranged for him. THE MRS. ASKS $1,000. Mrs. Dr. Munyon told Freeman Bernstein, so Bernstein says, that she will enter vaudeville for $1,000 week- ly. Freeman is looking for the thousand. Matrimonial differences are men- tioned between the Doctor and his youthful spouse, formerly of the stage. A BUNCH IN LEAGUE.* Chicago, Nov. 4. Vaudeville theatre managers held two meetings in Chicago Tuesday. The organization of the Central States Vaudeville Managers League was made permanent at the second meet- ing, held in the afternoon at the Hotel Union. In the forenoon about fifteen man- agers, who book through the Western Vaudeville Association, assembled in Charles E. Bray's corner of the elev- enth floor of the Majestic and there discussed with Manager Bray the sub- ject of organizing a protective and mu- tually beneficial association among themselves, restricting membership to managers booking through the Asso- ciation. From this meeting the Association managers adjourned to the Union Hotel where they were joined by John J. Nash and Paul Goudron, represent- ing managers who book through Sul- livan-Consldine office; Thomas Saxe, Milwaukee, Wm. F. Jones, Fond du Lac and Oshkosh, and E. P. Churchill, who book through the T. B. C. Manager Burkell of Davenport, booking with William Morris, was also present. This made a rather repre- sentative assemblage. When the elec- tion of officers came up there was enough difference of opinion as to choice to make some of the offices a closely contested proposition. Vic. Hugo was unanimously chosen presi- dent of the league; Paul Slttiier, vice- president; Walter S. Butterfleld, sec- retary; Joseph Hopp, treasurer and Jack Root, Chief Doorkeeper. There resulted more or less of a contest for all of the offices, save president. Having elected a treasurer the membership fee was fixed at $25. The organization of an association along the plans outlined by Mr. Bray remains to be consummated. There is h likelihood of it being formed. GERMAN STOCK AT TEMPLE. Chicago, Nov. 3. German stock will be established at the Bush Temple Monday to run eight weeks. Walter P. Shaver, who owns the lease, is said to have closed a deal whereby he receives $500 per week above house expenses. The Bush Temple has been playing vaudeville booked from various sources since the passing of the dramatic company some months ago. This week "Paris By Night" is headlining a "split" pro- gram. FIRE ON STAGE. Des Moines, Nov. 3. A fire broke out early Monday morning in the Majestic, destroying the entire stage of the house and the boxes on one side of the auditorium. The damage was extensive and the loss to performers, who had opened for the week on the day previous, was severe. Bird and Kenna and Cordua and Maud lost everything. Florence Wil- son's stage costumes were damaged by water. Jere San ford, also on the bill, escaped luckily. It is exported that the damage to the house, booked by S-C, will be re- paired, and the theater reopen Nov. 20. QUANTITY IN CELEBRATION BILL. "Anniversary Bills" are the thing now. The Morris Circuit intends hand- ing one over at the American, New York, Nov. 14. The Circuit an- nounces twenty-two acts for the pro- gram, with the show commencing at 7:30 in the evening. The closing time is set for 11:30. A "long show" is what started the American on its successful career a couple of seasons ago. Fifteen acts weekly were held to for a time, then the program dwindled down to eight or nine turns. With the dwindling the gross business kept pace, requir- ing a "big feature" to draw. Before then the "show and prices" had proven the card. It is said that following the expect- ed attendance at the performances that week, the American will revert to its former policy of a fifteen-act program. Col. Mike Padden has been appoint- ed house manager for the American. The Colonel has been at the theatre almost continuously of late, and has been popularly credited to have repre- sented the interests of the Sullivans in the Circuit. When in politics the Colonel was a close henchman of "Big Tim" Sullivan, and is still an intimate lriend of the Senator's. Col. Padden is reputed a very wealthy man in his own right. SHOW BUSINESS WINS OUT. Des Moines, Nov. 3. Unless I. Reubln changes his mind Des Moines will lose him completely as a clothing merchant but will re- tain him as owner of a first class vaudeville theatre. Mr. Reubin now owns the Lyric and Star here, and the Princess, St. Paul. He has secured a piece of property centrally located and says he will give Des Moines as good a vaudeville theatre as money can pro- duce, wherein he will play Western Vaudeville Association acts, in spite of the fact that the Orpheum is oper- ating a theatre here. BIG ACTS "COMING." Worcester, Mass., Nov. 3. A pamphlet is being distributed on behalf of the new Lincoln theatre, con- taining a list of prominent vaudeville numbers to play the new house, all having appeared on the Morris Cir- cuit. E. W. Lynch Is the president and treasurer of the Worcester Amusement Company which will operate the Lin- coln. APPEAL UP THIS WEEK. Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Nov. 3. The Luzerne County Court will de- cide this week whether George Mar- ion, convicted of first degree murder, shall be granted a new trial. Marion is the theatrical man who shot his wife In the office of the chief of police here. After conviction a new trial was asked for. The judge who tried the case died, with the result that the entire court of five judges will dis- pose of the case. McNAUGUTON JOINS PRODUCTION. The new Luescher & Werba produc- tion which will star Christie MacDon- ald, will have Tom McNaughton as principal comedian. Mr. McNaughton engaged with the firm late last week. Rehearsals started Monday. The show is due to open the last week of this month, or around the first of Decem- ber, at Washington. A run at a New York or Chicago theatre will shortly after be started. Among other engagements for the piece, which may be called "The Spring Maid," are Elgle Bowen, Ralph Errole and William Burress. Mr. McNaughton was formerly of The McNaughtons, who canceled all American vaudeville engagements this season through Fred McNaughton, one of the brothers, remaining in Eng- land. Tom has not previously appear- ed in an American piece, though of long familiarity with productions through having taken part in them on the other side. His role in the new musical comedy will be a character part. One week as "Mr. Lloyd" was suf- ficient, Tom says. During his wife's (Alice Lloyd) engagement at Keith's, Philadelphia, Tom was about the the- atre, without a partner or anything to do, a strange position for him. Keith's stage crew headed by Charlie Fleischman, and abbetted by otheia, "kidded" "Mac" unmercifully, calling him "Mr. Lloyd," "dresser" and "band part carrier." It was all done with a view to having Tom regain his "nerve," and while the comedian stood the chaffing good naturedly, it got un- der his skin, as intended. MARRIAGE A SECRET. Chicago, Nov. 4. Sam Duvries, connected with thte Chicago office of the Sullivan-Consl- dine Circuit, has managed to keep his marriage to Charlotte Simon, a vio- linist, a secret for almost two months. They were married in Minneapolis Aug. 15, but the bride wished to have the event kept quiet. CAST OF ELTINGE SHOW. Al H. Woods' "Fascinating Widow" will have Its premiere at the Apollo. Atlantic City, Nov. 14. Eltlnge, the star, will have a chorus composed solely of girls. In his sup- port will be found Eddie Garvie, Jas. Spottswood, Gilbert Douglas, Carrie Perkins, Ruth Maycliffe, June Mathis, Almanore Francis, Neil McNeil and Charles Butler. BASEBALL NINE PLAY. The success of "Curves," which Bozembn Bulger wrote for Christy Matthewson and "Chief" Meyers, will mean the birth of a play for next season, says Mr. Bulger, who is the one accepted baseball writer of the New York World. The production Mr. Bulger has con- ceived is aimed for the country, where it will tour the towns and cities of which the inhabitants only know the ball players by hearsay. The company will have nine of the best known diamond stars of next sea- son, selected from all leagues. May Tully, who has been of great assist- ance to the "Giant's Battery" will have the leading female role.