Variety (August 1911)

8 VARIETY MIDDLE WEST AGAIN LIVELY; USING VAU DEVILL E'S BIG ACTS Pat Casey Books Seventy of His Turns Through W. V. M. A., of Chicago. Large Number of "Small Timers" Next Season in that Section. Hebrew Acts Frowned Upon West. Chicago, Aug. 16. The middle-west has started book- ings for the season to indicate an un- urual decree of liveliness in vaude- ville. After Pat Casey left for New York last week, it was stated the big New York agent had placed over seventy of his turns with the managers booking through the Western Vaudeville Man- agers' Association. This is the large Chicago agency, over which Charles B. Bray presides. It is affiliated with the United Booking Offices and Or- pheum Circuit, but books independ- ently. The W. V. M. A. will supply over 150 houses next season, according to report. Among its houses are the Interstate theatres in the south. This circuit alone is offering from fifteen to eighteen weeks to moderately pric- ed acts, while giving high priced turns six to eight weeks. From twenty-five to thirty weeks for each act was secured by Mr. Casey. The managers wanted standard turns. His booking sheet was gone through by them with avidity. Casey did the booking in two days. He will make monthly trips hereafter to Chi- cago, meeting the W. V. M. A. man- agers, and furnishing them their fea- ture numbers. In addition to the big Bray time, the Frank Q. Doyle agency is out for recognized acts, to meet the demands of the managers bookei by Doyle. Principally among these is the Arm of Jones, Llnick & Scheffer, who must have feature turns for the Star and American. It is thought unlikely that Martin Beck will agree to a contin- uation of the Orpheum Circuit supply of acts to that house. Beck dis- continued the bookings late last spring. The James C. Matthews office can also use above the average priced acts, Matthews booking from Chicago for th« Pantages Circuit, as well as for other houses he may secure. The Theatre Booking Corporation, with Walter F. Keefe at the head, formerly secured Its greatest strength from the C. H. Miles theatres. Of late, however, Miles has been buying acts from New York agents, although the booking may nominally have pass- ed through the T. B. C. agency. Other than Miles, the T. B. C. has developed little strength. A number of Chicago agents, known sis "ten percenters," are on the look- out for acts to supply the demand, the "ten percenters" booking through the other and Inrger agencies. This method, litt'e different from that in vogue in the larger offices of New- York, gave the "outside agents" Mio (Ognonien of "ten percenters," through the acts having to pay them five per cent, commission, in addition to the regular five deducted by the big agen- cies. According to report W. S. Butter- field, with a circuit covering Michi- gan, and who books through the W. V. M. A., was made a tempting offer by one of the local agencies, to break away from Bray, but Butterfleld would not listen. The middle western and southern managers are frowning upon Hebrew acts. They give as the reason, that their patrons have objected to any type of "Jew Act," which caricature* the Hebrew. The Orpheum Circuit hus Issued an order that no act of this nature be engaged. Accordingly, It is expected that but few of Hebrew turns will be seen west this season. $1.65 PARADE UNIFORM. Dayton, Aug. 16. Local Union No. 104 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Join- ers of America has issued and dis- tributed among its members a "special circular," stating it is the aim of the committee to have a larger and bet- ter Labor Day parade than ever be- fore. The following uniform is de- manded for the parade: "White duck trousers 85c; black belt, 20c; white soft shirt, blue four- in-hand necktie, 18c; gray cap, 42c; total, $1.65." It is whispered around the stages of the local theatres that If the re- sponses to the call for the mammoth turn-out contemplated are not as nu- merous as the "local No. 104" would wish for, that all White Rat actors playing in the city on that date will be called upon to garb themselves In white duck trousers and assist in swelling the paraders. MALE CHAPERONS DUST. Elliott Forman did a "leading man" stunt Tuesday. As a male chaperone, he led the Eight Palace Girls, who ar- rived here direct from London for an American tour under Martin Beck's direction, all around the town. No Harvard "eight" ever received a re- ception like the one Elliott tendered the girls when they planted their toot- sie wootsies on Uncle Sam's domain. Elliott had to wait three hours be- fore a quarantine Inspection ended. He took the English misses in tow, and, engaging a wagonette, started up Broadway. The girls had been "steered" on the ship to stop at a Broadway hotel, but Elliott rounded them up at a private rooming plape. Mr. Beck told him to extend them theatre courtesies. El- liott took the eight to the Fifth Ave- nue. During the second number, they trailed in (Indian fashion) with Elli- ott bringing up the rear. The show was stopped until the girls and Elliott had ensconced themselves in a box. The electric signs kept the girls busy craning their necks on the homeward lap up Broadway. After each stop, El- liott would count eight, and the line of march resumed. The young women form the original Tiller dancing act, from the Palace, London, and are under contract to Al- fred Butt, manager of that house. The turn will open next week at the Or- pheum, Montreal, play around some, and then Join Mr. Beck's Road Show for the season. "In the Shadows," an instrumental composition that has suddenly grown very popular on both sides of the wa- ter, was in use at the London Palace, as Incidental music to the girls' dances, for two years, without anyone being especially attracted by the melody. A GOLDEN SKETCH. Charles Wayne will shortly offer a unique single skit that George Fuller Golden wrote. The title of the bit is 'The Easiest Way." It tells the story of twin brothers, one addicted to drink and the other a total abstainer. The theme Is treated In a humorous manner, and the one actor plays both characters. FROM DIRECTOR TO MANAGER. Buffalo, Aug. 16. Henry Marcus, for fourteen years musical director of Shea's theatre, has been appointed house manager for the Academy of Music In this town by Mark & Broeck. Mr. Marcus assumed charge last week. His many friends as a tribute to him packed the house to the doors and sent a dray load of floral offer- ings. MRS. LESLIE CARTER. OLD LECTURER ILL. Boston, Aug. 16. Professor William Street Hutchins, the oldest lecturer In the world, fa- mous for many years as the announcer of Austin & Stones Museum, is dan- gerously ill at his home at 8 Bulflnch street. Professor Hutchins is suf- fering from a complication of diseases brought on by extreme age. His re- covery is doubtful. He is more than eighty years of age. 98,500 FOR TANGUAY. $3,600 Is the price reported will be paid by the Brighton Beach Music Hall next week for Eva Tanguay. Miss Tanguay will produce her "Salome" travesty for the extraordinary amount. The high figure placed by the Music Hall management seems to be the Judgment only of that direction. None of the large managers of the United Booking Offices has made any appli- cation for the services of Miss Tan- guay for next season, for any amount. PORTLAND, "BIG TIME." Portland, Me., Aug. 16. Keith's theatre, thia city, will play "big time" vaudeville. It has been harboring stock. The house was built for a first class vaudeville policy, but the conditions at Its completion about two years ago, did not allow of the higher priced shows being placed. The Portland theatre, which has a "pop" show, will likely continue that grade of variety offering, "probably booked through the Family Depart- ment of the United Booking Offices. The Keith house, of course, will se- cure its bills from the big agency. A report of some business consoli- dation between W. E. Oreene, of Bos- ton, who leasee the Portland, and B. F. Keith, can not be confirmed. It is likely that nothing more than an understanding on policies has been reached between the managers. THREE ACT BREAKS UP. Chicago, Aug. 16. The engagement of Louise Meyers by Harry Ask in, the producing man- ager, has disrupted the "three-act," formerly known as Warren, Lyon and -Meyers. Mr. Askin will assign Miss Meyers to his new "Louisiana Lou" or "The Girl I Love" show. In addition to Miss Meyers, the cast of "Louislanna Lou" will include Alexander Carr, William Riley Hater-, Eva Fallon, Sophie Tucker and Mary Quite (a sifter of Grace Van Studui- ford). Bert Lyon, 'formerly of Warren, Lyon and Meyers, Is with the Gus Ed- wards "High Flyers" act. Jonnny Stanley Is likewise a member of that troupe. SHARPSHOOTERS* RAW WORK. Atlantic City, Aug. 16. The sharpshooters, Ethel Conrad and Lillian Graham, are still keeping up their "raw" press work. Yesterday one of the leg-pluggers stood up in about eighteen inches of water and yelled for help. A camera took her picture, while a man pulled her to shore. A physician pronounced her as faking. Afterwards she was roller- chaired into the lobby of the Savoy Theatre, where the gun-play worker" are finishing the second week of their seashore engagement. HAH A "JAP HONEYMOON." A vaudeville production called "Th»- . Japanese Honeymoon," is in rehearsal It will shortly be presented by a com- pany of fourteen, six principals and eight choristers.