Variety (June 1911)

M VARIETY FORUM Confln* your letters to 110 words and write on one side of paper only. Anonymous communications will not be printed. Name of writer must be signed and will be held In strict confidence. If desired. Letters to be published In this column must be written exclusively to VARIETY. Duplicated letters will not be printed. The writer who duplicates a letter to the Forum, either before or after It appears here, will not bo permitted the privileges of It again. Editor Vaiuktv: I have never before made any pub- lic statement that I am the originator of using rliiRs or thimbles to play musical bottles. In fact I dcn't claim it now. But 1 do claim that I never saw, heard or read of any one using rings before I did. I have used them ever since I have been in the busi- ness. Since the picture shows have brought so many new acts in^he busi- ness, I have heard of numerous acts using bottles with the rings. The fact that they are a big hit with us is enough reason for piracy. However, it is not that that I am complaining about now. I can't stop it, for I tried years ago to patent (as I supposed) my own original Idea. I wrote to Washington, consulted pat- ent attorneys, but found there was nothing about them that could be pat- ented. So I have no legal protec- tion. My complaint now is against these acts and pirates claiming they are the originators, unless they can prove that they used my method before I did. Here is the thing that disgusts me most: An act will see us, or hear what a hit our bottles are, meet us in the lobby of the hotel afterwards and say, "I used the bottles once, but I cut 'em out." In less than a month that act revived their former "hit" in some cases "remembering" that they had used the same music we used. If there is any act which can truth- fully claim, and prove, to the satis- faction of Varikty. that they have the right to claim originality of the above, and will send their proof to the paper (the first time they used uie bottles in the above mentioned manner) if it really dates before I used them, I will make a public statement to that ef- fect. But if they can't do it, then give me my rights. Admit that you heard of my idea, even if you never saw me, and that you are merely using my idea. My wife and I are using bottles double now (and have been for some time). I have not heard of any act, yet, using two sets, but am expecting it any time. I withhold my name, as I am not af- ter free advertising, as the small white bottle on the last page of [Variety, for a year back will prove. But the editor of Variety, knows us, which Is sufficient. We can be reach- ed through Variety* "The Act With the Dottles." Middleboro, Mass, May 27. Variety referring to a production of a play called "Driftwood," will you kindly mention that some eight years ago we produced an act by that title at Keith's, Phila. A play has been mad<» from it. Any one who has a ropy of the first issue of Varikty will find a reference to the production of "Driftwood," by Eva Williams and .lac Tucker. Jac Tucker. MANAGER FINER $1<>0. Seattle, May 31. Harry Cort, manager of the Seattle theatre, accused of conducting a lot- tery in connection with the giving of a chance with each ticket purchased, pleaded guilty to the charge. He was fined $100. MANAGERS HEAT AND POWER CO. The Long Acre Light, Heat & Power Co. has issued a "notice to the public" to the effect that consumers of elec- tricity in the form of light, heat or power, advising them to delay the closing of any contemplated new con- tracts until the plans of the company can be presented. This corporation was formed sev- eral years ago by Charles Frohman, Al. Hayman and other theatrical mag- nates, allied with the big theatrical "Syndicate," who were dissatisfied with the price and service they had been receiving in their playhouses in the location of Long Acre Square. For some time past nothing had been heard of its plans. Many be- lieved the scheme had been aband- oned. FREE STAGE EDUCATION. Chicago, May 31. A school to educate children for the stage has been opened in Chi- cago by Henry Dixey. Mr. Dixey pro- poses to give the tuition free of charge and will teach dancing and elocution. He is expected here some time this week. JOSEPHINE DAVIS. The portraits of Josephine Davis, who bills herself as "Vaudeville's Daintiest Songbird," adorn the front page of this week's issue of Variety,. Miss Davis claims to be the first woman on the s'ago to use the "Ha- rem Skirt," and while there are many who lay claim to this distinction u is undoubtedly a fact that if not the pion- eer of this fad, she is one of the first women to adopt the latest fashion. Miss Davis is a clever little ingenue, and her act consists of four songs with as many changes of costume. The songs are, in the order of their rendi- tion, a "straight," a German, an Ital- ian, and a "Harem" — all original, clever and appealing. Miss Davis is at present touring the west with her act, and will be seen in the east early next season. HEME'S BILLY GOULD By William Gould. Oakland, May 29. Playing in Oakland but must talk about the town across the bay. Sothern and Marlowe arrived on the Southern Pacific. (Cute?) Geo. Ryan, is an actor at night, Sells whiskey in the afternoon. Harry Casey is here. Who is Harry Casey? Oh, a friend of mine. Arthur Don, a former vaudeville actor and now a vaudeville agent, doing business in Los Angeles, is staying in S. F. for a few days—get- ting rid of some commissions. They have quite an array of talent at Tait Zinkands restaurant. Three high class solists (femaiej and three regular entertainers. Met "Romeo" Al. White, of Taylor Kranz and Romance. He has a new affinity says Mike McC.innity, "Follies." It seems to me that on every visit to San Francisco I meet a find. Last year it was Lee Lloyd, this year it is a little sixteen year-old girl, Abbie Silver—with the voice of an angel. P. S.—Miss Clair is from Portland, Ore. No—I didn't visit Sing Fat's th's trip. I have nothing but hisses for kimonas, pajamas and Mandarin coats. You may also add Chop Suey. Frisco's Chinatown may be new, but it smells the same. SPORTS The artists on the opening bill at Roniana Park, Grand Rapids last week played a team of employees of the park on Friday morning pulling out a well earned victory by a score of f>-2. Murray Livingston of the Alpha Troupe was the hero of the game, being largely responsible for the artists' victory. Ksciiiuilio I'Vrnandev. has been en- gaged for next season by Arthur llammerstein to support Kathorlne Kalraed in "The Moral Code." The Winter Garden Baseball team played the Varikty team off their feet in a loose game last Fri- day afternoon, winning by a 15- 10 score. The Winter Garden openeu hostilities in a fitting manner, gathering seven runs in the opening session. Capt. Skigie (Variety), pulled Nestor out of the box in the middle of th e inning, putting George on the rubber, the game going along on even terms from then on. Galvin at short for the Winter Garden was the bright star of the game. The Winter Garden catcher also distin- guished himself. A foul tip on the jaw had no effect on him whatever, although it split a new cork covered ball in three places. Variety's team, composed of members of the paper's staff, expects to play a picked nine from the United Booking Office to-day. Meantime any newspaper or profes- sional club whirh might not object to losing one game to give the Variety bunch a little confidence, is invited to write for a date (Fridays preferred). OBITUARY Sir William 8. Gilbert, librettist of the famous Gilbert and Sullivan comic operas, was drowned May 29 in a lake at his home In Harrow, England. He was taking his customary daily swim when seized with an attack of heart failure. Although not in deep water, life was extinct before he could be rescued. The deceased was born in London in 1836, and began his career as a lawyer. In addition to hie con- tributions to the stage, he wrote a number of successful novels and maga- zine tales. His most famous works, those that will live forever, are "Pyg- malion and Galatea," "Trial by Jury," "Pirates of Penzance," "Pinafore" and "The Mikado." Frank Dwlght Denny, an old time actor, died at the home of his daugh- ter in Spokane last we<?k. Denny was over 70 years old. He retired from the stage some time ago. Loretta Fawn, a chorus girl with the Rose Sydell's "Ix>ndon Belles" Co. died at the Harper Hospital. De- troit ^ last week. The Mother of Mable McCane died Sunday at her home in St. Louis. Miss McCane, who was in Chicago, left im- mediately for home to attend the fune- ral, after which she started for New York' to sail for England to-day (Sat- urday) to fulfill her engagement at the Tivoll, June 19. Paul Barnes, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Barnes, died at their sum- mer home near L«conia, N. H., May 25. He was born February 19, 1904. His father has appeared for several years past in England as a monologlst. Tina Zoeller, wife of Edward Zoel- ler (Alrona-Zoeller Troupe), died at the Swedish Hospital, Brooklyn, May 27, following an operation, caused through the ruptiv. c of a blood vessel a week ago. The funeral took place May 30 from th e Zoeller home, 209 Hemlock street. Brooklyn, N. Y. SHOW OWNER NOW SUES. Chicago, May 31. Walter O. Lindsey, owner of the "Merry Mary" show, which recently closed at the Whitney, has entered suit against Criger & Ruppert for $5,000 damages. Criger & Ruppert attached the show before it closed, for money alleged to be owed by Lindsay. In the attachment Criger & Ruppert claimed Lindsay was not a resident of this State. Lindsay, who has been a resident of this city for ten years, im- mediately replevined his goods and in- structed the Lowenthal office to sue for damages. The South Rend (Ind.) Daily News took occasion May 14, to print a very lucid editorial anent vulgarity upon the vaudeville stage. Vaudeville man- agers, who believe that the entertain- ment they are dialing in, is going backwards, so judged by them from slowly decreasing attendance, might secure this editorial, and use it as a text.