Variety (May 1911)

Vol. XXII. No. 9. MAY 6, 1911. PRICE TEN CENTS J. C. NUGENT'S REMARKABLE LETTER ON ORG ANIZATIONS Sets Forth Clearly and Forcibly Relations and Obliga- tions of Actors and Managers, One With Another. The following letter, bearing upon the present situation in vaudeville, as it exists between the actor, agent and manager, was written by J. C. Nugent, answering a request made of him through William Gould that Mr. Nu- gent Join the newly formed American Vaudeville Artists' Society. Mr. Nugent has turned out a re- markable document, written from the standpoint of one actor speaking to another. It makes any number of points that have never before been touched upon in public discussions. Mr. Nugent is a well known player, the author of many successful pieces, a writer of note (though seldom tak- ing up the pen for other than the composition of stage material), and was given the soubriquet by the White Rats some years ago as "The Silver Tongued." Mr. Nugent is a White Rat, one of "The Old Guard." He is lovingly and prominently mentioned by George Fuller Golden in Mr. Gold- en's history of the White Rats, which is entitled "Mi Lady Vaudeville." Variety secured the letter, and it is published with permission. The mat- ter in italics was emphasized by Mr. Nugent; that in the heavier type was not. The letter in full follows: Baltimore, April 1, 1911. Mr. William Gould, New York City. Dear Sir: — Your kind letter regarding the new order to hand. I am deeply grateful to you for your quick response, and the printed explanation of the object of the new Order. That I have not complied with your suggestion to send in my application at once, is due to the fact, which you will readily realize if you will read this letter carefully. Your proposed society while based on some very excellent ideas does not to my mind strike at the root of the matter, nor for that matter does any vaudeville organization I know of. Unless an Order can be formed, or one of the present Orders be induced to begin on a basis of solid logic, they will all begin and end just where they started. There certainly has been no advancement of a material nature in the last eleven years. The situa- tion is exactly where it was then; all due, I think, to the confusion of a few fundamental ideas, which, if clearly outlined and adhered to in the begin- ning, would have saved that many years of time, trouble and expense. Your object (as stated) in trying to obtain an equitable contract, to my mind, means nothing. A contract will never be greater than the people who make it. Taking measures to have contracts kept is more important than quibbling over the exact form of them, which must necessarily change with changing conditions. The objection to affiliating with the labor unions, I quite agree with, but not from the same standpoint as you. You apparently object to a social dif- ference. I believe that the laborer of whatever class may be the equal of the actor and performer—morally, men- tally, physically and spiritually. Un- fortunately this is not a mental or spiritual question. Any result we may obtain will be through financial argu- ment. The laborer is simply not the equal of the performer in rani inn poiccr. There is such a discrepancy in the earning power of both that their union is no ridiculous ns to he grotesque. It is true that in union there is strength, but it must be the union of things of a kind. To tie together a blade of grass and a steel bar makes neither stronger. To bind together a portrait painter's delicate brush, and a ditcher's shovel makes both awk (Continued on page 18. EXCELLENT PARISIAN REVUE. (Special Cable to Variety) Paris, May 3. The Marigny theatre opened to- night with vaudeville and an excellent revue by Gabrial Timmory and Maurice de Marsan, along the lines of last season's production at that house. Claudius, fresh from the Folies Ber- gere, is the star of the new revue and made a huge hit. Mile. Perrat Is charming in the ungrateful role of Commers, and Zaique as Compere also did well. The Marigny troupe is excellent and Johnny Fuller, the animal impersona- tor, was a sensational success. John Tiller's troupe of English dan- seuses,. Mines. Flory, Saint Thelme, Myral, Mm. Paul Cler, Frey, Dorel and Delamane, all work hard and con- tributed in no small measure to the evening's entertainment. The Trap- nell Bisters did nicely. DENIS P. O'BRIEN RESIGNS. It is well reported among vaude- ville artists that Denis F. O'Brien, the general counsel for the White Rats of America, has tendered his resignation, which will take effect some time this year. The reason is expressed that press ure of matters pertaining to their many clients has rendered it im- possible for O'Brien & Malevinsky to continue devoting the time and atten- tion they deem should be given to the legal procee'iings entrusted to their care as the law department of tie- Rats. Since accepting the post of at- torney M I„. Malevinsky has become associated with Mr. O'Brien. Mr. O'Brien has attained an en \iable standing among vaudeville artists, for energetic and conscien- tious attention given, as well ns the uniform courtesy White Hats re reived when railing at the law office No one has been rumored as his su< eessor. Neither is it positively stated when the resignation takes effe<-t. other than some time this year. A. H. WOODS AFTER GABY. (Special Cable to Variktv.) Paris, May 3. A. H. Woods has practically closed a deal to star Gaby Deslys in America next season. He has made her a proposition of twenty per cent, of the profits of a show to be written es- pecially for her exploitation, with a guarantee that her share shall be not less than $1,500 a week. Mile. Deslys hesitates about affixing her signature to the agreement for the reason that she is tied up with a con- tract to appear shortly in Berlin, but as the Berlin management is reported to be irresponsible the favorite of the deposed King Manuel will demand a substantial deposit in advance, which she figures will not be forthcoming. She is also booked to open at the Folies Bergere here next January, but hesitates to cancel this engagement, on the bare possibility that her Amer- ican tour may prove unsuccessful. T Mr. Woods is in the city now, hav- ing delayed returning home awaiting Gaby's answer. THE ALDWYCII AT AUCTION. (Special Cable to Vaiubtv.) Jjondon, May U. The Aldwych theatre is up at auc- tion today. The house has been a notorious failure since built. The Melvilles, who produced "The Bad Girl of the Family" were the only ones to have made money there. STARS FOR "ROYAL SHOW." (Special ('able to Variktv.) London, May 3. V\Kii:n's representative here is en- abled to make the first announcement of the artists selected for the Royal Command performance to be given r,t Fdinburgh in July. The stars chosen 10 head the pro- gram are Harry Lauder, Paul Cinque \alii, Wilkle Hail, Harry Tate, Ade line (Jenee, Vest. 1 Tilley and Clarice Mayne. M is lint i< -able t hat i h" selection has be< 11 male with a r;ui fnl elimina- tion of »' red-n.».-:ed" comedians and tin):- • who perpetrate blue" jokes. A Chippie annnuiiceiiii nl of the Mi! ; cia! program will b« made public Sat nrda v.