Variety (April 1911)

VARIETY 17 GETTING A START IN VAUDEVILLE Hy J. A. MVItl'HY. Applestock, Ore, March L'S. Dear Ed: — When we landed here we found quite a lot of mail wait ng for us and In one letter were notified the re- maining houses on this tour had de- cided to book in with another circuit, consequently all dates were off after this week. I also got a letter from mother saying she hoped I was saving my money as father thought he would like to raise chickens, and could get a good place by making a first payment of $500. McPhatter got a very con- fidential letter from The Eatem Or- chard Co. offering him a choice apple orchard of forty acres for $600 an acre. The rest of the mail was from diamond merchants, bungalow build- ers, cold cream firms, photographers and boarding house keepers. One dealer in surgical appliances sent us an illustrated catalog and price list of crutches and artificial limbs. A large picture on the front page show- ed a bicycle rider using two of their guaranteed aluminum legs, and the accompanying testimonial stated they were the longest and best legs he had ever used. The cancellation of our time made the situation look serious to me but McPhatter didn't worry at all. He said we were likely to "amalgamate" with another job most any time and It was no use to worry until our week was up. I wired to a Frisco agency. "All time open. Can you place us?" They wired an answer, "Send route for next four weeks." Late In the week, a nervous fussy little man came back in the dressing room and talked more in Ave minutes than any one I ever met. He told us his name was Malcom Gltnev, pro- prietor of four musical comedies, three on the coast and one in Xew York. He wanted to strengthen one of his shows before taking it east, and if we wanted to sign for our specialty and a couple of parts for sixty weeks we could do business right away. He wanted us for sixty weeks or not at all as he did not want to be bothered changing people. Most of his people had been with him seven years. Tie had his own car and it was just like a family. As soon as he played a few more weeks he would ship the show right through to New York for a sum- mer run at the New Theatre. He said the house manager had told him our salary, It was very reasonable. He would pay us the same figure with our board and transportation and raise us ten dollars every season. Re- port for rehearsal to-morrow, 10.30, at the TarpauMn theatre and be ready to leave with him Sunday night. He said good evening and vanished be- fore we could say any thing. Mc- Phatter said we would go and look the troupe over any how. Xeiccom Pj/ker. The George Ronhalr Troupe, rlsley performers, have been booked for the Hippodrome for next season, with the understanding that they are not to play New York prior to that engage- ment HERE'S BILLY GOULD Hy William Gould. St. Paul March 27. Alice Lloyd has left a lasting im- pression on the vaudeville-going pub- lic of the Northwest. Ad Wolgast is picking out soft ones these days; that's why he bars Jim Thornton. Society Note.—John Patterson West spilled radium all over his dress suit the other evening. There are some people who would go to a first-class tailor if he would put the label on the outside of the coat. Can't we blame mifitliinij on to the extra session of Congress? llrotlierly Love—A small time turn talking about a big time act. A newspaper in Minneapolis said I was the theatrical olive of vaudeville. I don't Know whether I should be pleased or perturbed. (P. S.—All of we newspaper men use the word "per- turbed" when we want to say "angry.") Sidney Grant is getting the vaude- ville fever. (A week in Des Moim s or Sioux City will cure him.) Hear from a very reliable source (Kid Broad) that the picture machine companies are going to start a war between the U. S. and Japan. It is very hard to get heat in our new up-to-date hotels. (That's why they are called "fireproof.") I could tell the St. Paul laundries where to have their washing done. St. Paul was a city when Maud Ryan played Little Eva. (And that's going back some.) In the east the railroad depots are beautiful and the trains are awful. In the west the trains are beautiful and the depots are awful. It is almost an invitation for a light in the west to say that you ar«> from Xew York. E. Bohm, who "travels," sells goods and knows some actors, stopped off here yesterday just to hear the over- ture. Forbes Robertson told me one on a cockney property man that he carried. The company had to Jump from San Francisco to Chicago in five days. The cockney said: "No blooming womb-r Columbus discovered America. It's so bally large I don't see how he could miss it." DIED BEFOEE ENGAGEMENT. Chicago. March 29. Chester I. Fisher, manager of iho Crystal, Milwaukee, died of pneumonia March 13, Just two weeks previous to the date set for the formal announce- ment of his engagement to Myrtle Vi<- torlne. "THE SKIRT " SAYS SPEAKING OF WOMEN, MOSTLY. The affc.tions of a manager go 1! rough as many changes as the sea- sons, that Is, when the manager is found who wears his heart upon his sleeve at all times. The latest heart somersault along Broadway Is now spoken of as hy a musical comedy manager, who, in forgetfulness of his delight of last season (now "on the road") has found a newer affinity in a show nearer at home. And thus It goes, for while the absent one may continue "to run the performance" In blissful ignorance of the fall from grace, when traveling shall have re- turned her to New York, the thud of the drop will carry with it the al- ways bitter sting of the girl forgot. May the new flame profit by the his- tory of her predecessors. The Latest Mode Id Hair Pressing, the Pres- ent Vogue in Paris. A well known theatrical manager who has been paying heavy alimony for the past two years, was called on the phone Tuesday by his ex-wife. She asked him if he would accommodate her hy sending her weekly allowance on that day, though It wasn't due until Saturday, for the reason that she was hard pressed by an importunate cred- itor. Not wishing to appear antag- onistic and "for the sake of old times" (as the lady put it), he sent the money promptly by a messenger. Half an hour later she called him up again. "I just got your money," she said, "and I want to tell you that I am married again —thought I might as well stick you for another week's ali- mony. Tee-hee!" The second matinee of "Lola" at the Lyceum last week was attended by as distinguished a coterie of nota- bles as has attended any playhouse this season. Mme. Oadskl, looking Mke a sister of the beautiful young lady beside her—her daughter, Miss Tauscher—was in one box, while Amelia Bingham graced another, decked In a white broadcloth suit and wearinc white furs. In the lobby stood Uedwig Relcher talking to Mar- tha Morton In earnest fashion about a nlay the lady dean of dramatists will map out for her while abroad. Kate .lordnn was relolclng over the fact that Hamilton Revelle will do a one-act play of hers at the Palace In London and Harriet Ford and Grace Elllston snt so far front they l«ad to stand up and use lorgnettes to see who was in the house. Janet Beccher sat modestly in the last row with her sister Olive Wyndham. Among the other interesting people present were Hilda Spong, Charles Cherry, Emma Frohman, Mile. Manhattan, Alan Dale and his daughter, and Marguerite Clarke. Pedestrians who frequent Rivcrsi 1" Drive between Eightieth street and Grant's Tomb have become accustom- ed to seeing a distinguished looking gTay-haired lady spending several hours dally In leading a pet dog up and down the drive. Her eyes have a far away look and the corners of her mouth are drawn down with sad- ness, but. when she says an affection- ate word or two to the little animal who looks up worshlpingly into her eyes, the ton^s of the voice sound strangely familiar. Time may have dealt harshly with Ada Rehan in most tlrngs, but he has passed that lovely voice by. It may not be known but Henry Miller and Chauncey Olcott are staunch friends. In fact all of Ol- cott's productions are staged by Mil- ler, and when they are both playing in the same town Mr. and Mrs. Olcott are either the guests or the hosts of Mr. Mil'er. At a little luncheon Mr. Miller gave to the Olcotts at the Rltz- Carlton recently the other guests were Mr. arid Mrs. Adolph Klauber and Mrs. Rida Johnson Young. (MISS) SYDNEY SHIELDS. ,\ 1 • I; 1 y • ■ r fnirn tin- "Ic^ll linuir," n.w In v.hiiIc- vi l|i', Willi li> 1° own ■ niii|i my Tlie gowns worn by Eleanor Kent in an act she is. presenting in vaude- ville, will creaie a sensation if shown in New York. i h re are two. The first is a Grecian affair of white crepe studded with pearls and rhinestones, and wiili a gold cord 1 ri inming that drapes it into clas'-ically :ni"eful lines. The other niv. r, ]■-■ .1 I'acquin frock of old rose 'Ii'ii'mii male over pearl uray satin. Wit'; this ore- Miss Kent uc.us an Irrid;.' ;T head-dresa that is exquisite.