Variety (April 1911)

Vol. XXII. No. 5. APRIL 8, 1911. PRICE TEN CENTS KLAW & ERLANOER FIGURING ON GIGANTIC CORPORATION A Capitalization Plan on the Way Which Will Include All of the 4 'Syndicate's" Shows and the Theatres. May Take in the Shuberts. An evening paper early In the week carried a "dope" story of Klaw & Er- langer* and the Shuberts having be- come reconciled to each other. Meagre detail was contained In the publica- tion, which carried a denial from both sides at the conclusion of the report. Information at hand gives more sub- stance for the tale. In part, than the reporter who wrote It probably was aware existed. The facts seem to be that Klaw ft Erlanger are In the throes of negotiations with "Wall street peo- ple" for a gigantic corporation. The corporation will be capitalized at a sum large enough to envelop all the theatre properties Including shows over which the syndicate heads preside, either directly or In the capacity of bookers. The capitalization scheme Is no new move for the legitimate theatrical managers. Klaw ft Erlanger had the Idea some time ago. It Is said to have been revived, not by them, but through several prominent Wall street finan- ciers who are connected with the New Theatre having suggested it, when lately casting around for some theatri- cal manager to take over that unwieldy load. These financial men, mostly bankers and brokers, are In majority the back- ers of the Shuberts, according to re- port, in any number of the Shubert enterprises. Their suggestion to in- corporate is claimed to have arisen from a desire to stop the outflow of money they have been enduring this season, and from a profit earning connection. This they believe may be accomplished by a corporation in- cluding legitimate theatricals. It is doubtful if either of the Shu- bert brothers or any of their Intimate business associates has been aware of the negotiations. That K. & E. have been very close to the "down town crowd" was in part confirmed this week when a theatrical lawyer Informed a Variety representative that Levy Mayer, the Chicago attorney, and Paul D. Cravath, the well known New York corporation lawyer, had been in conference of late. Mr. Cravath Is of the law firm of Cravath, Henderson ft DeGersdorff. He is the attorney for some of the wealthiest of New York rich men, and is reported to be the at- torney for nearly all of the coterie of millionaires who are behind the New Theatre and many of the Shubert en- terprise!. Their suggestion of a company Into which any holding Shube-t stock might cast their lot with it really led into the immense capitalization plan, It is said, with the financial manipulators ready to market the stock, when Is- sued. Mr. Mayer, who is K. ft E's confi- dential attorney on all Important deals has been in New York several days. The pending deal had to do with Marc Klaw's visit to London. It is rumored that Klaw crossed the water to obtain an affirmative reply from Charles Frohman as to his theatres and produc- tions. Last week and up to Tuesday of this week inquiry at Klaw & Erlang- er's office for A. L. Erlanger brought the reply he was out of the city. At the same time Pat Casey was not at his office. It was rumored that Messrs. Erlanger and Casey were on a trip. during which they visited several east- ern cities. Monday last although it was said at his office that Mr. Casey had returned to New York, be could not be found. As Casey is the recognized repr< sentative of Klaw & Erlanger in vaud- ville, it was quietly talked about that (Continued on page 6.) "THE GIRL** MUST CLOSE. Boston, April 5. "The Girl From Rector's" will end Its engagement at the Globe Satur- day night, after only a fortnight's run. This is not from any lack of patronage, but because the mayor has refused to permit it to continue any longer. When the piece opened there Monday a week all dialogue that might be considered objectionable had been carefully ex- cised for the Boston run. Unfortun- ately Tuesday evening one of the fe- male members of the cast Inadvertent- ly spoke some of the lines she had grown accustomed to, while Censor Casey was present in his official capac- ity. It was explained to the mayor that the lines were used accidentally, but he refused to sanction the contin- uation of the production after Satur- day night. It is currently reported that the rea- son "The Easiest Way" was closed was because "Charley" Rich, at the public hearing before the mayor, asked "his honor," who Is a Catholic, why he didn't close all the Catholic church- es and monasteries within his Juris- diction. J. J. Shubert is in town, accompan- ied by Edgar Smith. They are busily engaged in doctoring up "Mile. Ro- sita," the new Fritzl Scheff operetta now in its second week at the Shu- bert. Richard Carle at the Tremont Is, to the astonishment of everyone, a really sensational hit. Monday night ho was called before the curtain for a speech, during which he referred feelingly to the cold reception accorded hlrn in New York. This was greeted with loud cheers. Carle is undoubtedly In for a highly successful run. NEW START FOR SHOW. "Marriage a la Carte," almost en- tirely recasted (with the English peo- ple out) has been again sent on the road. The show reopened its season last night (Thursday) at Cleveland. Chicago fs to have the Liebler & Co. pleco for a run. Of the new principals Gertrude Van- derbllt will remain about three weeks, retiring to take the trip to tho Lon- don halls, rind will have a young man on hand to assist her when opening at the Palace, London. TWO NEW FRENCH SHOWS. (Special Cable to Variety.) Paris, April 6. The "Revue Femlna" opened at the Theatre Femlna Saturday evening (April 1) with moderate success. It is a "review" by Rip and Bousquet and has a splendid company of performers including Anne Dancrey, Mile. SplnelU and M. Signoret, (the latter a well- known French actor who plays In "re- view" for the flnt time.) M. Sig- noret has heretofore been Identified with the legitimate stage. Special In- terest was shown in a travesty on the recent revival of the duelling craze here. Rip is perhaps the wittiest re- view writer in Paris at present, though his pen Is sometimes a trifle too biting. He has a fondness for reproducing on the stage events in people's private lives, which isn't always relished by the victims or their friends. "Lyslsrata" opened to-night at the Casino de Paris. It Is a burlesque of the Greek play "Lyslstrata." The parody has been a great success at the Theatre des Varletes, Brussels, and was chosen by Albert Callar for reopen- ing the Casino. The scenery and cos- tumes from Brussels are being used for the Parisian presentation. A piece called "Lyslstrata" was produced by Mme. Cora Laparcerle at the Bouffes Parlsiens, October 20, 1909, and the new offering is a parody of this and tho original Greek play. SUCCESSFUL F\ PARIS. (Special Cable to Vakm-.ty. ) Paris, April 5. The Phllllpp Sisters opened at the Olympla last Saturday and did very nleely. At the Alhambra the same evening the Jackson Family of cyclists, DeCoe, equilibrist, the Marco Twins, and "the Surf Bathers" made their Ini- tial appearance and were very success- ful. MAY MAKE EARLY PRODUCTION. (Special Cable to VAniKTr.) London, April 6. There Is a rumor that Fred f\ Whit- ney may make an early production for Fntrlmd of "The Spring Maid," dur- ing Coronation time. .\f r . Whitney has the English rights, which permit a presentation any time before Jan. 1, next.