Variety (April 1911)

VARIETY WESTERN WHEEL MANAGERS CLOSE " KENTUC KY BELLES" Whallen & M artel I Abruptly End the Season for Their Burlesque Show, Account of Poor Business. Harry MarteU's "Kentucky Belles" on the Western Burlesque Wheel are bulletined to close its road season next week. The abrupt termination of the company's tour is causing much talk pro and con. There are some con- flicting rumors anent the disbanding so early. Several reports have gained considerable credence along the Rlalto. One is that the show has experienced heavy financial losses on the season and that by closing now, the amount would not reach greater proportions. Another is that there was much dis- satisfaction between the members, par- ticularly the principals and the man- agement. Hearsay has it that Martell will again have the show in the field next season under a new name and with new people. The facts in the case will probably come out when the show closes next week. WEHEH SERVED. The attorneys for L. Lawrence Weber accepted the service of the pa- pers in the action brought by Eastern Burlesque Wheel managers against the members of "The Voting Trust" of the Columbia Amusement Co. The service was accepted late last week, when Mr. Weber returned to New York, called here through the death of a sister. It was reported early in the week that conferences held between the lawyers for the different factions con- cerned In the legal matters, were about to end, an agreement having been nearly reached. At the office of Edward F. Rush this week, it was stated that Mr. Rush might return to New York very short- ly. It was also said that his "Bon Tons" Eastern Wheel show would again go out under Rush's direction next season, offers to purchase the franchise not having materialized. A denial has been entered that in the sale of Mr. Rush's interests in various Eastern Wheel enterprises, were twen- ty shares of Columbia Amusement Co. stock, held by him. The chief cause of bringing Rush back to New York is said by his rep- resentative to be the proposed erec- tion of the new Apollo theatre, on the site to be cleared at 237-2 41 West 4 6th street. Building is to commence May 15, with the Apollo Amusement Co. the lessor of the property. Rush is the principal figure in the corpora- tion. It is possible that some other name for the house than "Apollo" will be used—if it is built. SIMEGL'S "WINNING WIDOW." "A Winning Widow" is the title of a two-act musical piece by Frank Ken- nedy, which Max Spiegl will put on the "Combination" road next fall, the play having its Initial performance at the Grand Opera House, Philadelphia, Sept. 18. A full season's route has been arranged. Mr. Spiegl returned Sunday last from a trip to Chicago and Milwau- kee where he signed Perla Barthi, for- merly prima donna with Whitney's "A Broken Idol" company to sing the principal feminine role with "A Win- ning Widow." Sydney Stone, now in the varieties, has been engaged to create a part In the new comedy. Dave Posner, for years a faithful stand-by around the A. H. Woods of- fices, has been engaged by Splegl to look after one of his productions next season. UNA ABARBANELL With the original "Mine. Sherry' company. ONE-MAN CENSOR COMMITTEE. The Western Burlesque Wheel has issued its first ultimatum in a de- sire to improve productions next sea- son. The first order states that all shows must start with an entirely new equipment. This was expected, for with the innovation (for the Western Wheel), of a censor committee most of the shows would be unable to pass muster. One man only will compose the committee, someone not connected with the Wheel or any show In it, and will be allowed a free hand. No one has been named for the position as yet. The directors of the Empire Circuit Co. will meet in New York City the second week In April. WIESBERG IS MARRIED. While "The Star and Garter Show" was playing at the Columbia, New York, last week, it became known that Frank Wiesberg, the manager of the organization, had been a Benedict for some time. The manager wedded Elolse Matthews. Mrs. Wiesberg will appear in her husband's new "Star and Garter Show" next season, under ber former stage name of Vera Shelby. UNCLE JIM FOR GRAND PRE8. James H. Curtln, president of the Empire Booking Co., affiliated with various enterprises, owner of two Western Wheel burlesque shows and a member of more than fifty fraternal orders, and president of the New York lodge of T. M. A. for the past three years, is being boomed for Grand President of the T. M. A. Grand Lodge. The Curtin campaign committee consists of Harry A. Greene, past pres- ident of the New York lodge; Thomas A. Sheehan and Charles Shea. Mr. Curtins* most formidable opponent is James J. Quigley of Memphis. DON'T WANT PATERSON. The Paterson papers have all car- ried a story that the owners of the Folly theatre property would rebuild on the site and were negotiating with the Columbia Amusement Co., which they expected to take over a lease on the new house. Sam Scrlbner, general manager of the Columbia, when spoken to regard- ing the lease, denied any intention or desire of entering Paterson. "The property owners may have their own reasons for giving out the story," said Mr. Scrlbner. "and if it gets them anything they can go as far as they like, but you can deny em- phatically that we want any part of the house or Paterson." A story is also going around that the Western Wheel will lease the re- built house. It is said though that the Western, if it decides to continue the town as a spoke, may take an- other theatre now standing over there. A. M. Bruggemann's Empire is spoken of as the likoly one. No one could be found who would admit that Mr. Bruggemann might object. Since Keith-Proctor opened a vaudeville theatre In the city, the Empire hasn't had the police around Its box office to regulate any crowds. Even before K-P got there, the police was not both- ered. TERMS MADE TOO HIGH. The details looking toward the con- nection of Pauline Hall as prima don- na for Gordon & North, the burlesque managers, were suddenly halted early this week when Miss Hall surprised the firm with a new set of figures for an extended engagement. The salary Miss Hall set upon her services was $200, weekly guarantee, and five per cent, of the gross re- ceipts. Tt was thirty-nine minutes be- fore Cliff Gordon, after reading the terms, could again commence to mem- orize Aaron Hoffman's newest mon- olog for him. •'RIO SHOW" FOR HITRTTO. Joe and Lou Hurtlg will probably secure Fred Trwin's "Rig Show" fran- rhlse for next season. Papers were being drawn to this end early In the week. "The Majesties." Irwin's other East- ern Wheel Burlesque show, may con- tinue under Mr. Irwin's management. If no likoly bidder for the franehlse appears before the preliminaries for next Reason are to start. , CLOSED FOR ST. PAUL. St. Paul, March 9. The Eastern Burlesque Wheel has closed for a theatre in this city. Jack Cook has left the Majestic theatre, and will manage the new house. Fred Landecker, of Milwaukee, has secured the site and will erect the new Eastern Wheel house. HYDE'S SON A MANAGER. Chicago, March 29. With the death of William Beebe, the popular manager of the Star and Garter, who passed away March l. r », James Hyde, Jr., just out of college, has been given the management of the theatre as a sort of training gallop. EVA PUCK Who will become MKK. AARON KKSSLER In June. Mlsa Puck la appearing In vaude- ville with her brother, Harry (TUB TWO PUCKS). CHANCE WHEEL BOOKINGS. Chicago, March 29. Beginning with next week there will be a switch in the rotation of the Eastern Wheel movements as far as Chicago is concerned. For next week "The Craekerjacks," now at the Columbia, will swing Into the Star and Garter. There is an entire revision of the iiHiial rotation and although no set plan has been carried out it is be- lieved that this rotation will hold good In the future. SUMMER BURLESQUE IN CHICAGO Chicago, March 20. It has been announced that "The Bowery Hurlesquers" will be the at- traction at the Columbia in Chicago for a post-season engagement. The management has started a heat- ed publicity campaign headlining "Madam X-Cuse Me," as the big fea- ture. IM>U< i; CHIEF DECLARES. flarrisburgh, Pa., March 20 Chief of Police Zeil has declared himself against, immoral shows and threatens to take criminal action against any further violations "The California Girls. M playing the Casino, caused the rumpus. One of the dailies got after the show and brought the attention of the chief to it. The chief says the town will get no further shocks.