Variety (November 1911)

VARIETY CONSOLIDATION OF AGENCIES IN CHICA GO FAL LS THROUGH Meeting in New York This Week Between Sullivan- Consldlne Representatives and Western Vaudeville Ass 9 n Heads Results in no Action Being Taken. The meeting in New York this week of Charles E. Bray. John W. Considine, and Fred T. Lincoln, is aaid to have brought about naught as a result, through Mr. Bray, the general man- ager of the Western Vaudeville As- sociation, placing a veto upon all pro- posals for the Sullivan-Considine branch at Chicago, to consolidate with his agency. Mr. Lincoln is temporarily in charge of the S-C's Chicago agency. He is rated as the general manager of the Sullivan-Considine Circuit. Lately in the middle west there has been strong rivalry between the two agencies for business, with each picking a house off here and there from the other, although the warfare is said to have caused the W. V. A. to become strong* er in that section. While it has been believed mat a friendly feeling existed between the S-C people, and the Bray-Martin Beck contingent (which controls the W. V. A.), rumors from Chicago of late have not substantiated this understanding. Many of the reports spreading about are said to have been inspired. The conference in New York is thought to have been called by virtue of the existing conditions. At the meeting Monday in the Orpheum Oircuit offices, where the men met, Martin Beck, who was pres- ent, is reported to have washed his hands of all participation in any con- clave that would Interfere with any decision reached by Mr. Bray, who was to give the deciding say-so. There- upon it Is said, Mr. Bray did not favor the Considine proposal, and the meet- ing adjourned, without date. There remains a future chance of the agen- cies agreeing, according to under- standing. Chicago, Nov. 8. The Western Vaudeville Managers' Association, through its general man- ager, C. E. Bray, has caused Walter F. Keefe, manager of the Theatre Book- ing Corporation and local representa- tive of the Miles Circuit of vaudeville theatres, to be served in a lawsuit call- ing for $50,000 for alleged criminal libel. According to the plaintiffs, Keefe has written several managers booking through the Association, notifying them the Association was on the verge of disruption and that Messrs. Beck, Kohl, Middleton and the other finan- cial interests behind the W. V. M. A. were about to withdraw from any re- sponsibility, Inasmuch as any interests other than their own were concerned. Also that the Orpheum circuit intended closing down the several theatres in the smaller middle-western towns be- cause of poor business. Rumors of this kind spread until Martin Beck placed advertisements in several of the trade papers making a denial. After being served, Keefe immedi- ately instructed his attorneys to com- mence a counter suit against the As- sociation for $75,000. Keefe claims a sign has been placed on one of the walls on the eleventh floor of the Ma- jestic theatre building notifying acts that should they play the "Keefe time," they need look for no booking through the Association. He also states that several of the individual agents have personally told performers that they will be blacklisted should they play for him. On this ground he seeks to recover damages. COMMISSIONER CAN'T COLLECT. The issuing of licenses to theatrical agents is almost through for 1911-12. The records up to date show a big percentage of agents who have chang- ed their titles. Last year at the Commissioner's office 170 were recorded as theatrical agents. Seventy is the highest num- ber reached since May 1 last. At the Commissioner's office it was stated this week numberless complaints are coming in from actors wanting the office to collect salaries, believing this to be a duty of the Commissioner. The Commissioner wants it understood his office is not a collection agency. THREE MAIDS FROM KENOSHA. Chicago, Nov. 8. Three stage struck maidens hailing from Kenosha, Wis., were taken into custody by the local police last Satur- day at the new Chicago and North- western Railway station. They gave the names of Angeline Bowers, sixteen years old; Anna Schroeder, fifteen, and Nellie Law son. fourteen, stating they had come here for the ostensible purpose of going on the stage, presumably in one of the State street music halls. The girls were sent to the Juvenile Home, pending the arrival of word from their parents. SECOND GUARANTEED ORPHEUM. Sacramento, Nov. 8. The new Orpheum Theatre here opens to-night, thereby adding one more town to the cir- cuit, but without increasing the number of weeks' time. The house will play four days a week. Hereafter the Oakland Orpheum will change its bills weekly. The Sacramento Orpheum is made possible through a guarantee by the leading citizens of the town of certain receipts, under a plan similar to that in effect at the Orpheum. Evansville TO TEST CANCELLATION CLAUSE. The Marquards who played two weeks at the Folles Bergere sometime ago have started an action against Jesse La sky and Henry Harris for alleged breach of contract. The foreign dancing act makes a claim they were booked for four weeks and after two weeks, were can- celled according to a clause in their contract, which stated an act could be closed if in the opinion of the manage- ment their work was unsatisfactory. The clause reads that the cancellation might be made at any time. It is this point that the act wants to test in a legal way. The fact that they worked two of the four weeks and then were can- celled will be used as an argument against the validity of the clause. House, Grossman & Vorhaus are the attorneys for the act. A NICE POINT INVOLVED. Chicago, Nov. 8. Jules Von Tllzer, local representa- tive of the Al Von Tilzer Music Co.. creator of the noiseless soap spoon and according to his billing, "The Maker of a Thousand Songs" took his second flyer in vaudeville last week after a nine month's lay off. It proved quite disastrous. While Jules and his six foot-four Prince Albert made doubly good on the entertaining end and according to himself was a near-riot at every one of the three or four daily frolics, 1: took a scene shifter to throw cold water on his vaudeville aspirations. Friday while listening to the or- chestra play his overture Jules was preparing to dash on and knock 'em over, when the gable end of a scenic shanty connected with Julius' right optic. When the warbler had return- ed to earth, his pretty evening drees shirt was covered with claret. Hastily rearranging his appearance and aided by a slice of adhesive, he wabbled on, apologized to the houseful and then went through his routine. Jules claims he went better than ever be- fore. This week at the Apollo he *3 going to keep the apology and red shirt in the act, but has temporarily eliminated the slapstick stuff. The skeptics claim that it wasn't a piece of scenery that struck Julep. They admit the object came from somewhere, but owing to the speed and sudden stop, made it impossible for the victim to determine from whence. As Von Tilzer appeared with- out a net, the point cannot be defi- nitely settled. Alice Hanson (Hanson and Bijou) and Ralph Markee (IVfarkee Bros), were marr'ftf in Kansas City, Mo., Oct. 18. CAN'T STRING MOLASSO. Reports from Mexico are to the ef- fect that G. Molasso's company has been laying off in Mexico City for the past fortnight, due to a misunder- standing regarding terms between the local management and the pantomime impresario. Molasso went south under a guar- antee, but the "greasers" have a play- ful habit of welching on the'r agree- ments. Molasso had had a previous experience with them and probably doesn't intend to be "strung" a sec- ond time LAUDER IN CHICAGO. Chicago, Nov. 8. The Harry Lauder show is here at the Lyric playing to capacity business. A dally and nightly parade precedes the performances and a miniature aeroplane floats over the city announc- ing the presence of the Scotchman. These advertising features promise to make the Chicago engagement the rec- ord one of the trip. No figures could be secured from the management. The Lauder tour has been a series of receptions for the Scotchman from notables along the routes. It's grow- ing to be a very ordinary occurrence for only a Mayor to show up at the depot. At Ottawa, the Duke and Duchess of Connaught were among the receiv- ing bunch; at Albany, Governor Dix showed, while at Utica Mr. Lauder met Vice-President Sherman. Mr. Morris is meeting some regular people on this trip. If he lands one house per person per town, he can re- turn to New York with another circuit. UPSET OVER ANGORA. Chicago, Nov. 8. Abe Jacobs and the stage crew of the Majestic theatre carry a myster- ious look on their faces these days. They may be seen looking up dark al- leys and down coal chutes at all hours of the night. A question as to the reason brings a reply to the effect that "Harry Thaw" is out. "Harry Thaw" is the large Angora cat, the pet of the thea- tre. While Jacobs is quiet on the subject, it is thought that some performer took a fancy to "Harry Thaw" and aided by a basket conveyed the Angora to parts unknown. A hundred dollar re- ward (stage money) Is offered for the "molly's" return, and no questions asked. TOOTS PAKA. Toots Paka returns to Hammer- stein's next week after playing the early part of the season in the lead- ing houses of the United Booking offices in the East. Broadway has always taken kindly to the novel and altogether original turn, not only in the vaudeville houses, for the act was far and away the applause hit of "The Echo" at the Globe Theatre, New York, last season. The weird and artistic accompaniment to Miss Paka's original dances, as played by native Hawaiian musicians, Is no small factor to the pleasing offering, contributing largely to the atmos- pheric effectiveness of the artistic ter- pischorean presentment. Next week will be rather a quick return for Toots Paka at Hammer- stein's, where she appeared during the summer. The Casey Agency repre- sents the act. Georgle Moore and her act opened in Troy this week, placed by Joe Wood. BREAKING EVEN. In the fight for houses now raging between the Family Department of the United Booking Office and the Pruden- tial Vaudeville Exchange, the two fac- tions broke even last week. The Family Department took the Orpheum, Schenectady, from the Pru- dential; that booking office now has the Lyric, Rome, heretofore booked by tpe U. B. O.