Variety (August 1911)

VARIETY tt VAUDEVILLE MAY YET GET GERAGHTY-FRENCH ELOPERS Husband Reported to be Holding Off From Big Offers Until Finding Which Way the Wind is Blowing. Agents Are Hopeful. A determined effort is being made on the part of several booking agents who make a practice of handling freak acts to secure Jack Gerahty, the heir- ess marrying chauffeur and his bride, formerly Miss Julia Steele French, the Newport society belle. The Oerahtys are resting in seclu- sion in Springfield, Mass., at present with a Mrs. Joseph H. Harris. A lengthy telegram to the bridegroom, offering them some vaudeville time was answered immediately by long dis- tance telephone. Freeman Bernstein sent them a "Day Letter," offering a large salary for the elopers in vaudeville. The groom replied he would not be in a position to answer before a week or ten days, pending overtures which might result in a reconciliation with the family of his wife. In case the senior Frenchs decide that the daughter will have to take the consequences of her marriage with the family chauffeur, there is a possi- bility that the pair will be seen at one of the local houses within the next few weeks. The weekly figure was placed at $1,- 000 for the first offer, although it is probable they might receive much more. The French family is well known in Detroit. C. H. Miles, who has sev- eral houses in that territory, has of- fered $1,000 for them to play a week in Detroit. The Oerahtys are reported by the dailies to be shy on a bank account just at present. The dallies also say that several friends of the young hus- band, when appealed to for funds to tide over the honeymoon expenses, re- plied that they were in financial dis- tress also. The managers of the larger vaude- ville theatres are not inclined to the belief that a Vanderbilt-French will become a drawing card for them, at least not yet. Boston, Aug. 16. It is reported that Hammerstein's, New York, has offered the Gerahty elopers a large weekly salary, If they will agree to sit in a box during per- formances, and have the spot light thrown upon them. OPERA PRESS AGENTS GATHER. The flying squadron of advance agents that Henry W. Savage is going to have herald the advent of Puccini's The Girl of The Golden West" gathered at the executive offices of the manager, Monday for a prelimi- nary-discussion. There will be four agents in ad- vance, Including Henri Gressltt and Col. James Hutton, both of whom were avaunt couriers for the "Madam Butterfly" tour of several seasons ago. DUSE WON'T RETIRE. Paris, Aug. 8. Mme. Duse, the Italian tragedienne, denies she Is leaving the stage. Mme. 1b at present in a private hospital, at Florence, and hopes to act again when her health permits. WYATT MATTER SETTLED. Los Angeles, Aug. 16. The lease of the Mason Opera House has been sold to Klaw & Erlanger, the sale having been made by Attorney Dunn, executor of the estate of H. C. Wyatt, late manager of the house. This disposes of all litigation with re- spect to the future management of the theatre, which was started when It was discovered that Wyatt had willed the lease of the house to his prospec- tive bride, Elsie Crossley, his private secretary. Wyatt's son had been managing the theatre since the death of his father. July 18 Miss Crossley startled all the interested parties by marrying Joseph Toplltsky, the former general assist- ant to the deceased. Thereupon young Wyatt left for New York to consult with Klaw & Erlanger in an effort to continue in his personal right the fran- chise for "syndicate" bookings. The taking over of the lease by K. ft E. will probably result in the appointment of the son of the deceased as resident manager. CANDIDATES FOR KING. "Uncle Jim" Curtin doesn't know whether to laugh or cry. Some one has submitted his name as a candidate for King of the Coney Island Mardi Gras, which contest Is being conducted by a New York dally. Jim's friends are rallying to his support. His picture appeared the other day. Right away his candidacy took a boom. "Uncle Jim" says he would rather be left (alone) than be king. He says he doesn't care to be crowned any- thing. "John the Barber" also got a nomi- nation, but declined on the ground he couldn't win enough money at poker to capture the prize. 8CHOENECKER, NEW MANAGER. Milwaukee, Aug. 16. Robert C. Schoenecker, general au- ditor for the Herman Fehr enter- prises, covering Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul, succeeds F. R. Trottman as manager of the Star, which opens with "The Pacemakers" Aug. 19. The house has been renovated and remodeled during the summer. Harry E. Billings will have charge of the publicity department. BOSTON SEASON ON. Boston, Aug. 16. The theatrical season is now on in full swing. One house opened last week, two more are scheduled for the coming week and all the other houses of the legitimate order will be run- ning in full blast before the first week in September is fairly over. "The Nest Egg," with Zelda Sears, is booked to open at the Park theatre, Sept. 2. Raymond Hitchcock, at the Colonial in the "Red Widow," Sept. 4, and Helen Ware, in "The Price" at the Hollis the same date. Louis Mann in "His Wife's Comedy," will play at the Hollis later In the month. "The Belles of the Boulevard," is sched- uled to open at the Gaiety (burlesque) on next week. ALBANY IS OPTIONAL. Western Burlesque Wheel mana- gers will for the most part fill in the lay-off week between Boston and Mon- treal by playing Oliver Stacey's house in Albany, the visiting managers to receive 75 per cent. As it is optional with the managers, they may fill in a week of one-nlgbt- ers In eastern territory which does not have regular burlesque. It seems to be the belief that Albany will get the majority of the Empire shows. SENDING OUT FIVE. Philadelphia, Aug. 16. John Jermon (Jacobs & Jermon) has been rehearsing Ave burlesque shows which will tour the Eastern Wheel Circuit this season. All are about ready to take to the road. The "Columbia Burlesquers" leave for Kansas City, Aug. 24, opening the 29. The "Big Gaiety" opens Aug. 19 in Boston, leaving here Friday. The "Golden Crooks" opening date is To- ronto, Aug. 21. The "Queens of the Jardin of Paris" opens at Hoboken, Aug. 28, and the "Bon Tons" In Chi- cago, Aug. 27. The last change to be made brought Joe Hollander, last season with "The Majesties," and Marie Beauguard, last season with "The Aferry Whirl" into the "Big Gaiety" show, In which Gus Fay 1b principal comedian. "THE SIREN" OPENS MONDAY. Atlantic City, Aug. 16. The first big new musical comedy to open here this season is "The Siren," which will have its premiere at the Apollo Monday night. Charles Froh- man presents the show with Donald Brian as the star. "The Siren" Is by the authors, of the "Dollar Prin- cess." The Americanized version is by Harry B. Smith. The supporting cast as billed claims Julia Sanderson, Elizabeth Firth, Frank Moulan. Will West, Pope Sam- per, Gilbert Chllds, Florence Morri- son, Moya 'annering, and, of course, a chorus. A new singing, dancing and acro- batic team will be seen In vaudeville shortly. It consists of Mr. Mulvey, late comedian with "The Love Waltz" and Charlotte Amoros, the younger sister of the Amoros girls. It is be- ing piloted by Paul Durand. THE H B. HARRIS PLANS. Henry B. Harris has arranged most of the opening dates for his various theatrical attractions. The" Hudson theatre Inaugurates its ninth season Sept. 4 (Labor Day) with Frank Mc- Intyre In "Snobs." Edgar Selwyn's new play "The Arab," with Selwyn, Edna Baker, Ethel Von Waldron, Edward Mawson, John Gilbert, Victor Benoit and Ed- ward See, opens at the Star, Buffalo, Labor Day. After a Philadelphia showing it comes into New York. Helen Ware in "The Price," George Broadhurst's new piece, also starts Sept. 4, at the Hollis Street theatre, Boston, entering New York a few weeks later. In her support will be George Barnum, Austin Webb, Jessie Ralph, Gertrude Dalton and Margaret McWade. The Harris (formerly Hackett) re- opens Aug. 31, with Rose Stahl in "Maggie Pepper." Sept. 18 is the day set for Robert Edeson's opening In Gellett ^Burgess' new play, "The Cave Man" at Provi- dence, coming to New York early in December. Elsie Ferguson in "Dolly Madison," begins her season some time in October. "The Quaker Girl" opens the latter part of September with Clifton Craw- ford and Lucy Weston in leading roles. It shows at the Majestic theatre. New York, during October. Mr. Harris will send out two "Country Boy" companies, one that was in New York, and the other that played fourteen weeks in Philadel- phia. "The Commuters" goes on a tour that winds up in Philadelphia af- ter playing the Pacific Coast a "The Traveling Salesman" will travel the road throughout the east and middle- west. Ruth St. Denis will make a tour abroad, visiting India en route. A new play will be written for her by Richard Tully. The Folles Bergere Co. takes to the road early in November, playing Bos- ton, Chicago and other large cities. "Fillette," a new piece by Mrs. Fre- mont Older and Elmer B. Harris, will be produced early in November. "The Wild Olive," dramatized by Elmer B. Harris, Is scheduled for a stage presentation in December. "Hearts and Masks," Harold Mc- Grath's book, Is being dramatized by Martha Morton for a Harris produc- tion, before the close of the new sea- son. Ramsay Morris is also working on a new play for Harris. Mr. Harris has given Instructions to his scenic artists and stage manager to rush forward the production of "The Arab," in an effort to forestall the other Oriental pieces publicly an- nounced. He desires to be the first in this field before "Kismet," "The Garden of Allah" and "Sumurun" are shown In New York. "DON'T LIE" ON THE ROAD. Chicago, Aug. 10. Rowland & Clifford will send "Don't Lie to Your Wife" on the road this season, having leased the piece from its former managers. Dave Lewis will play the principal part.