Variety (January 1911)

Vol. XXI. No. 5. JANUARY 7, 1911. PRICE TEN CENTS FANTAQES AND CONSIDINE COMBINE TO FIG HT NEW ONE Join as Individuals for "Ten-Cent" Chain Against That Proposed by S. Morton Cohn. Pantages and S-C Circuits Not Involved. New York Representative Says Deal Likely Seattle, Jan. 5. If there is a game of bluff being pulled, count Pantages and Sullivan- Considine with their feet braced and right in the game. These two circuits have gotten to- gether on an understanding to ar- range for a chain of "ten-centers" of their own, over fifty cities in the west, and to oppose if not forestall the pro- posed similar circuit promoted by S. Morton Cohn. The policy of the Pantages-S-C houses, it is said, will be pictures open'ng and closing the show, with four or five acts in between. The combine of the two companies in Ihe "small time" trade out here to stand off a third circuit would not necessarily mean that they would be a unit on the bigger proposition which confronts them, that of opposing each other. Alexander Pantages and John W. Considine, though sharp competitors for theatrical patronage, have been close friends, and could easily reach an understanding as against the other fellow. No further particulars than the bare report have reached us. Nor has anything positive been given out re- garding the Cohn scheme. With a straight ten-cent circuit in the west, there would be three grades of vaude- ville, besides the picture houses. The Orpheum plays the fl rate lass, Pantages and S-C are the "small time," and the "ten-cent" would be anything anyone chose to term it. A confirmation of the report carries with it that the "ten cent" combina- tion will Include only Messrs. Pantages and Considine as Individuals, and not involve their circuits in the new ven- ture. It Is also stated thaUno special cir- cuit of theatres now operating will be taken over for the "ten-cent" purpose. There are many houses in the north- west available. The headquarters for Pantages & Considine will be established in this city. Louis Pincus, the New York repre- sentative for the Pantages Circuit in New York, when told the tenor of the dispatches from Seattle, said that such a combination between the two men was possible, and under the circum- stances highly probable. From remarks by Mr. Pincus he ap- peared to have had some previous in- timation from the west of the pro- posed movement. NO AMERICA FOR HKK. (Special Cable to Varikty.) London, Jan. r. Anna Held has refused an offer made to her through George Foster by William Morris to appear in American vaudeville. No salary was mentioned though Miss Held could have com- manded a big figure for a trip to the Morris houses in the States. THE CONTINENTAL, HIT. Paris, Dec. 27. The song hit over the Continent now is "Yip-I-Addy," an American number that came across the Channel from England. It is said that the visit of Maurice Shapiro to this side for the purpose of having the music trades which is handling the sale of the piece recol- lect that though the owner of the copyright (Shapiro) lives in America.. the royalties must keep on flowing regularly just the same. MEHBE MORRIS' ROAD SHOW. There is a chance that William Mor- ris will organize a road show to travel over the Shubert houses. On the Shu- bert time, the road shows may trans- pose itself into a "Concert," as tne brothers are under a penalty against playing vaudeville in their theatres. There is plenty of Shubert time to be had, according to general rumor. If the plan conies out, probably Vesta Victoria, George Lashwood and a few others will compose the troupe which will appear in the Shubert the- atres in the larger cities. lil'ILT 51 IN A YEAR. St. Louis, Jain. 5. Building permits for 1910 show that it I theatres were erected during that period, including two big ones, Shu- bert and Princess. PERMISSION REFUSED KITTY. The Shuberts ha>e notified Kitty Cordon that she must not play in a New York vaudeville theatre, if her engagement for the Winter Garden is to be fulfilled. Miss Gordon was placed for Hammerstein's Victoria and Manhattan, Jan. 16 and 23. It is said the English woman may cancel the New York time, taking to the woods for two or three weeks in- stead, if time in the wilds is secured for her. DROUET IN NEW SKETCH. With the passing of "The Foolish Virgin" this Saturday night, Koberi Drouet will return to vaudeville in "A Couple of Cocktails. ' opening under the direction of M. S. Hentham. Mr. Drouet played a variety we«k at Atlantic City just before accepting the berth of leading man in Mrs. Pat Campbell's support. Me has held that important position to about all the leading actresses MAY HOWARD COMES BACK. Chicago, Jan. f>. May Howard is eoming back to the stage. She is back, as a matter of fact, appearing in a sketch for the last three days of this week at the WiUn rel- it is a long time since May faced the footlights. BECK DENIES IT. All rumors connecting his name with Hammerstein's Manhattan or Victoria or both were emphatically de- nied by Martin Beck this week. Mr. Heck said there was not one word of truth in the stories and repeated the- statement three times. The rumors were that the arrival of Oscar Hammerstein was being awaited before the Hammersteins would decide whether Mr. Beck should become connected with their vaudeville theatres, and how. A side story was that the deal had something to do with Mr. Hammerstein's proposed grand opera house in London. Reports were out of meetings be- tween Messrs. Beck, William Hammer- stein, Percy G. Williams and William Morris. The meetings were said to have been held at Mr. Williams' home. Oscar Hammerstein is expected to return to New York next week. HOLDS "SUNDAY CASE." Another "Sunday case" was held for Special Sessions Tuesday, when Judge Herman decided that Ted Marks, man- ager of the Plaza would have "to go down town" for trial. The Judge called a conference of his associates on the bench before ren- dering the decision. The action against Mr. Marks was for permitting a Sunday show, and is of the usual "Sunday vio- lation" sort. JOLSON <JOE8 TO PALACE. Next July <on the 12th) Al Jolson, the blackface monologist, will com- mence an engagement of four weeks at the Palace, London. It will be hit first appearance abroad. The Marl- nelli office completed arrangements. ANOTHER "HEART" SKETCH. Another "Heart" sketch is about to hir. the vaudeville boards. Ruth Rich- mond who has appeared in frothy pirces in th# legitimate lr<tends to try at the bull's eye with "The Call of the Mer.rt " For support there have been engaged Fulton Russell, George C. Morgan. Alice Grafton, Helen ('oilier and Miss Richmond's twin sister. ]{<m!- ney. Julius Steger is nou pi,?> ..,■- Wa.v to the Hear: ' ■' >>,