Variety (April 1911)

VARIETY BECK AND CONSIDINE ADMIT POSSIBL E INTER EST MERGER Two Managers Say They Think It Likely That Orpheum and Sullivan-Considine Circuits May Combine. Beck Gives Conditions Which Must Exist Before He Purchases Hammerstein's. In Martin Beck's private office this week, while closeted with John W. Considine and Pat Casey, the two managers expressed to a Variety rep- resentative that there existed a very live possibility of the Orpheum and Sullivan-Considine circuits becoming joined. Mr. Beck said he made the statement to settle all reports that the S-C circuit might erect itself as opposition to the Orpheum. Mr. Con- sidine coincided with Mr. Beck. Outside the Orpheum offices it was reported that Messrs. Considine and Beck were awaiting the arrival in New York of Morris Meyerfeld, Jr., presi- dent of the Orpheum company. Mr. Meyerfeld is scheduled to reach New York next week. He is said to be coming on for a double purpose. One object of the trip east is for the presi- dent to confer with Mr. Beck over the proposed purchase of Hammerstein's Victoria theatre. When Mr. B'eck was asked regard- ing this, his reply was he would not secure the Victoria or any other New York theatre without E. F. Albee and Percy G. Williams were concerned in the transaction. "Everything is now peaceful, and all we want is peace. I shall do nothing to interfere. We want to be at peace with everyone," said Mr. Beck, and he added, turning toward Mr. Considine, "Isn't that right, John," "It's a fine sentiment," remarked Mr. Considine. It is understood along Broadway that Mr. Hammerstein set the price for the Victoria ground lease at $750,- 000, with an offer from Mr. Beck of $600,000 cash. The lease has thir- teen years to run, with a renewal option. William Hammerstein, when asked this week, if the deal between Beck and his father was approaching the closing point, replied, "All such talk is 'seditious.' " It is also said that Mr. Beck and "Willie" have held a long talk over the proposed transfer, and the future policy of the theatre. The usual Hammerstein Roof show, at the $1.50 scale, will be given up- stairs this summer, said the younger Mr. Hammerstein. May 15 the new Sullivan-Considine Orpheum theatre at Seattle will open, replacing the present Orpheum there, jointly conducted by the S-C and Or- pheum circuits. Mr. Beck said he in- tended taking a party from New York out to the opening on a special car. The new house will seat 2,200. An Orpheum - Sullivan - Considine coalition is something the managers interested have had in mind a long while. Oscar Hammerstein will sail for Europe in about ten days. There is small likelihood that he will dispose of his theatre holdings prior to de- parture. ANNIE YEAMANS' WEEK. Annie Yeamans, who closed with "The Echo" company last Saturday, will play at the Victoria April 10. Alf. Wilton, who secured the engagement, refuses to accept any commission, as he did when she played vaudeville be- fore. Mrs. Yeamans is 75 years old, and in fine health. IRWIN RETURNS TO STH AVE. Bob Irwin, formerly resident man- ager at the Fifth Avenue, returns In charge April 3. After leaving the Fifth Ave., Irwin took charge of the Plaza Music Hall for William Morris, remaining but a short time. After an extensive trip abroad last summer he returned and opened a theatrical brokerage office. The new concern will continue to do business. Mr. Irwin will hold his connection with it but will not be active in its affairs. Leon Carpenter tendered his resig- nation as the Fifth Avenue manager last week, the third of his reign there. Mr. Carpenter came from Philadel- phia to assume the position, and made himself very popular at the house. His resignation is said to have been voluntary and wholly unexpected. LOUIS A. SIMON Next week (April S) at HAMMERSTEIN'S VICTORIA theatre. New York. LOUIS A. SIMON and his company will appear In "WILD WILLIE WILKINS." a comedy playlet. In the piece Mr. Simon auumri the principal role, that of "Little Willie." a stuttering, lisping dude. It Is a funny character, as taken by Mr. Simon, who makes the creation extremely ludicrous, but withal highly artistic. The piece Is under the direction of EDW. S. KELLER. ORPHEUM OPENING AT FAUGO. Fargo, N. D., March 29. The new Orpheum theatre will open here April 2, with Lee Muckenfuss, manager. The house is a atop on the Orpheum Circuit between Winni- peg and Spokane, but does not pre- vent the loss of the week caused by traveling between those points. The new theatre seats 1,000. It was not expected to open for two or three weeks. Mr. Muckenfuss wired the home office Monday he could start this Sunday, and will have a show here by that time. MOORE SHOW CHANGES. Annabelle Whitford will join the "No. 1" "Madam Sherry" company when the Victor Moore show closes this Saturday. Miss Whitford will play "Lulu." If final negotiations for placing the piece in London are culminated, she will take the role in the production abroad. Jack Henderson will be with the "Pink Lady." Certie Vanderbllt has already joined "Marriage a la Carte." The foreign vaudeville time laid out for Hendersou and Vanderbllt has been canceled. AIIOUT "BLACKLIST"- PRICES. Managers of the United Booking Of- fices and Orpheum Circuits were due to gather Wednesday to talk over the prices set upon "blacklisted acts." The salary mutually agreed upon between the managers in most cases was that the act had received when last playing for in a United theatre. Several acts were "cut" below their previous figure, while others, it is conceded by several managers, are worth more at present than when playing for them a couple of years ago. The slowness in bookings, and the declination by numberless "blacklist- ed" turns of the figure named for them, coupled with the managers' de- mand for many, led to the meeting, when, it was thought, a compromise price with several of the acts would be effected. A few "blacklisted" acts have ac- cepted the figure set by the United Orpheum people. Most of these were acts which did not receive a raise when signing with Morris. There were a few exceptions though. One act which secured $800 weekly on the Morris Circuit signed with the United this week for $400, the salary it last received on United time. One "blacklisted" act engaged this week for a local appearance set a higher price upon an out-of-town en- gagement. A small time riot imme- diately followed among the United managers. Two out-of-town managers said they would insist that the act play at their theatres, according to their first requests, which would inter- fere with the New York dates. A "single" woman appearing at a Broadway vaudeville theatre this week for $200, demanded an increase for next week, after having been booked for Syracuse. Word was returned to her from the United office that unless she kept the Syracuse engagement at the $200 figure, all time would be can- called. UNITKI) OFFICES, "DAFFYIIILS." By Harry and Eva Puck. (With acknowledgement to "Tad.") If Alonzo did not tell the truth, Would Poll? If Martin Beck isn't baldheaded, Would K. F. Albee? If Alec Fischer is a lemon, Why ia Jules Kuby? If Frank Jones is tall, is Arthur Klein? (Doe Steiner. please translate.) If Jenie Jacobs wears eye-glasses, Can Pat Ca-sey? If Pat Casey swears, ('an Joe Pin-cus? Ill CKNKK CONFKSSFS. Arthur Bucknor, erstwhile bicyclist, and now schemer extr;n>rdin:iry, met a Vakii-i-v n'i)rrs»nt:it.iv.' W'-dne.sday evening. Both ni"ii >:;■;>r* '«I and re- garded each otli'T s'i- jwiou>]y. Finall> Bnckner, iiinhle to endure the suspense, exclaimed: "I'm b< having myself!"