Variety (November 1911)

12 VARIETY SCHEFF OUT OF LYRIC. FriUl Scheff closes her New York engagement at the Lyric theatre to- morrow night (Nov. 4). "The Duchess" will take to the road. Af- ter playing various of the metropoli- tan theatres, the company will play southern territory. The Scheff engagement here has not been a profitable one, although the show attracted good houses at the opening. The Drama Players, Donald Robert- son, director, open at the Lyric Mon- day, and will play there until Novem- ber 20, when Henry W. Savage's "Boy in Blue." which opens in Trenton. No- vember 10 and follows with a week in Baltimore, comes to the Lyric. Otis Harlan, who closed with the Folles Bergere company, was signed this week for one of the principal roles in the Savage production. COAST WELCOMES SAM BERNARD. San Francisco, Nov. 1. "The Travelling Salesman" opened at the Savoy Sunday night. The house was completely sold out. Show pleased. "Seven Days" is at the Columbia, doing only a fair business. At the Alcazar, Burr Mcintosh is starring in "A Gentleman from Mis- sissippi." He was well received and is doing good business. Sam Bernard in "He Came from Milwaukee," opened at the Cort the- atre, Monday, to a packed house. Lo- cal society turned out to greet him. It was the theatrical event of the rea- son. Bernard received three curtain calls and had to make a speech ifter the first act. It is his first visit to the Coast. MAY COME OFF THE SHELF. "He Fell in Love With Hie Wife," Frasee & Lederer's new show, is still temporarily reposing on the shelf, pending the determination of the pro- ducers to place the piece In Boston. The attraction may open in Boston a week from Monday. "BOUGHT" OR "SOLD." John Ernest Warren, secretary of the American Dramatists' Club, has sold to Oliver Morosco a drama called "Bought." Should the piece prove a non-success the title could readily be shifted to "Sold." ALWAYS YOU. To EL M. M. By Alfred Bryan. I heard Paderewski play, And through the passion of his melody There ran some golden thought of you, For, I was listening, and I knew 'twas you And in the sunset Turner drew I saw the fire of your desire Flame up and die without a flaw, For, I was watching, and I saw 'twas you. And you were in the Carmen song When Calve sang, and Passion cried; 'Twas you who killed, 'twas I who died; So oft I dreamed it, and I knew My dream came true. TWO HLOW NEW SHOWS. Philadelphia, Nov. 1. "Peggy" and "Graft" were the new offerings here this week. Neither Is credited with making a favorable im- pression. "Peggy" Is a musical piece in two acts. George Grossmlth, Jr., wrote the book and Leslie Stuart furnished the music. The latter Is accepted as pretty, but It Is poorly sung and the action is without snap. The success or "The Pink Lady" and others here this season probably had something to do with attracting one of the largest and moat representative audiences of the season, but the im- pression made by "Peggy" was unfa- vorable. A. L. Sri anger, Charles Dil- lingham and several other theatrical notables were over to see the opening. Nothing has been done to Americanize "Peggy." and this is Its greatest fault. "Graft" is a political play written by William Brown Moloney, who was secretary to Mayor Gaynor of New York. The piece is sketchy and closed with a startling climax which leaves no understanding. The show had its second performance Monday night and may be improved upon, but will need a lot of fixing up. It was mildly re- ceived by a bewildered audience. CHRISTIAN SCIENCE FLAY. "The Right Princess," a play based on Christian Science, slated for a pre- miere at the Ziegfield theatre, Chicago, is being backed by Messrs. Lewis & Moore, of the Windy City. A company, recruited in New Yoiic. is expected to open In a few weeks. James Durkin Is slated for the lead- ing male rele. BAYES AND NORWORTH RACK. Baltimore. Nov. 1. If the shifting about process can be fully accomplished. Jack Norwort* and Norah Bayes will open In vaude- ville here Monday next, as the head- line of the Maryland theatre program. Frend Schanberger, manager of the Maryland, had his bill for next week all laid out, when the proposition to play the Werba & Luescher ex-stars came to him. Nov. 13, Bayes and Norworth will open for a tour of the Percy G. Wil- liams' circuit, New York. D'ARMOND AND CARTER. Seldom has an act sprung into such prominence and great demand as that of Isabell D'Armond and Frank Carter, who form a happy singing and dancing combination that is being booked up solid in the principal vaudeville hou- ses of the country. Isabell D'Armond is an entertaining host by herself, but assisted by the clever and graceful young Carter, she is gaining more popularity and fame on the variety stage. Miss D'Armond has a handsome wardrobe and her changes are var- ied, pleasing and many. Her ability and personality are pronounced in making the act a big hit. Mr. Carter, whose wonderful versa- tility and ability to entertain proclaims him a success of the first magnitude, is a surprisingly good dancer and his legmanla Is a feature. STEGER HIT IX STRONG FLAY. Atlantic City. Nov. I. Monday night at the Apollo, A. H. Woods and H. H. Frasee presented for the first time a new comedy drama entitled "The Master of the House," by Edgar James, who adapted it from the German. The show is a strong one, finely acted by an excellent and well bal- anced cast. The story Is aimed at the divorce evil and a moral clearly given. The many unusual situations brought big applause at every curtain during the four acts and excellent dra- matics was attested from the fact that though the show ran three hours and five minutes, the final curtain found the audience intact. Fred Hoffman (Julius Steger) and his wife Anna (Amelia Gardner) have been married for nearly twenty-five years. Fred, called a hard man, has been very successful and has piled up a fortune, though he still attends strictly to business. There are two grown children, Harry (Ralph Mor- gan) and Beatrice (Mary Servoss). Anna feels the need of an assistant to run the house and Bettina Curtlss (Florence Reed) is secured. Bettina proves a Becky Sharp. Beth father and son are ensnared. Harry proposes but Bettina is looking for bigger fish. Fred goes away w th her. They be- come married when Anna is divorced. After two years Fred finally sees his mistake, for Bettina and her family are a set of parasites. Fred, broken in health, goes to a sanitarium. Alston fDodson Mitchell), the family attor- ney, finally brings the family together, the old couple agreeing to re-unite for their children's sake. The last act Is a sad one and brought tears to the eyes of many in the audi- ence. It Is said that at rehearsal the stage hands at the Apollo were crying at the end of that act. Julius Steger, who made a deep impression, gave <i splendid characterisation or the un- sympathetic principal role, Florence Reed playing opposite to him admir- ably. Amelia Gardner, too, was fine, while Dodson Mitchell was excellent. STOCK MANAGERS ORGANIZING. Another meeting of the dramatic stock managers who are forming an ironclad organisation to farther their own Interests and procure divers bene- fits not to be gained otherwise, was held in the Astor Hotel yesterday. Two meetings have now been held. Constitution and bylaws have been adopted. The managers expect to file articles of incorporation next week when full details will be made public. There are fifteen stock managers behind the present association. While their plans are not fully complete they will select a location In a prominent building on Broadway. Among the important branches installed will be a play department and a room for the dramatic stock manager who will at- tend to stock bookings only. Several prominent authors have al- lied themselves with the association. Officers were elected yesterday and preliminary steps taken to start the ball rolling In behalf of the new or- ganisation. "HANKY PANKY" OPENS. Chicago, Nov. 1. "Hanky Panky" opened to a capac- ity house at Lew Fields' American Music Hall, last night. Musically speaking, it was tremendously suc- cessful. With such a star cast much was expected of the comedy, but this might be better labeled "Honky Ton- ky." It slowed up in spots, and while occasionally bringing the house down, the greater portion was rather a#ed and ran to horseplay. The numbers are staged excellently and artistically. The singing hits were "Where the Edelweiss Is Blooming," and "Ragtime Opera," by a sextet of principals. "Rose of Pyramid Land," by Adele Ritchie, also drew numerous encores. The comedy honors fell to Harry Cooper, Bobby North and Max Rogers. Harry Tlghe did some great work, but Carter De Haven failed to shine, prin- cipally because of lack In opportuni- ties. The opening ran without a hitch, but the large and evidently friendly crowd never grew enthusiastic. The costuming Is pretty, and affords some nifty color schemes. The show opened with the Barto Brothers, who carried off olio honors, despite an early spot. Luciano Lucca scored big, as did Mabel Bunyea and Co. with the typical pantomime, car- rying husband, wife and lover. Carter De Haven went quite well with his specialty. On the whole, "Hanky Panky" looka surprisingly weak for a dollar and a half show. If successful, the musical end will be responsible. In the new policy at the American of vaudeville and musical comedy, the olio of facts will be changed weekly. ]>e HAVEN STARTS SOMETHING. Springfield, 111., Nov. 1. Carter DeHaven. who breaks forth into print from time to time as the re- sult of mixing things puglllstlcally, is at it again. DeHaven became riled here last Friday during the opening perform- ance of Lew Fields' American Musk- Hall (Chicago) company in "Hanky Panky" at Harry Tlghe, and smacked him across the face with the bone handle of his cane. All this happened at the Chatterton Opera House. Tlghe, with some 200 pounds of beef and muscle, walloped Carter In return, flooring him. Be- fore hostilities could be renewed, other players interfered. DeHaven became angry because he says Tlghe "crossed" him by changing a cue word with ad lib interpolations AdvertlM la a AdwtMa* la a ROSTON'S A. T. M. OFFICERS. Boston, Nov. 1. At the annual business meeting of the Association of Theatre Managers of Boston, these officers were elected: President, Charles J. Rich (Hollis St. theatre); vice-president, A. L. Wilbur (Majestic); secretary, W. D. Andreas (Park); treasurer, Thomas B. Loth- ian (Colonial); Board of Directors. John B, Schoeffel (Tremont); Albert Levering (Boston); George W. Ma- gee (Grand Opera House); Edward D. Smith (Majestic), and Harry N. Far- ren.