Variety (March 1912)

VARIETY "WHITE RAT THEATRES" PAS S TO FE IBER & SHEA The Mozart Houses at Elmira, N. Y. v and Lancaster, Pa., Leased by the "Pop" Vaudeville Firm. End of the Organization's Attempt to Compete Managerially. Elmira, N. Y., Feb. 28. Feiber ft Shea, of New York City, have leased the Mozart theatre. They take possession March 11 when Ave acta and pictures are to be presented as the entertainment. The same firm has taken the Mo- zart theatre at Lancaster. Pa. The Mozart theatres mentioned m the above are known as "The White Rat houses." They date back to the time when the White Rats became in- terested with Edward Mozart, who then had a small "pop" vaudeville circuit. That dwindled down until the two houses at Elmira and Lancaster only were left. These two were the only Mozart theatres the :lata became financially interested in. When this "deal was pulled" as the expression became prevalent at the moment of its execution, the White Rats also became interested in the Independent Bookiag Agency, a ven- ture of Mozart's. It shortly after passed out of existence. About two weeks ago the White Rats took formal possession of the Mozart theatres, and the transfer of the houses to Feiber Ac Shea is the latest development. The entrance of the White Rats as an organization into the managerial and agency fields created considerable comment when the scheme was first promulgated, about three years ago. Since then the White Rats has passed through a couple of periods. The movement to rid itself of the theatres thrust upon it is probably another step in the attempt being made by the organization to revert to its orig- inal complexion through emerging from the many mazes thrown around it up to a few months ago. When the negotiations with Mozart were completed, a corporation was formed by members of the White Rats, called "The Associated Artists." This company represented the financial In- terests held by the Rats in the Mozart theatres and was fully protected through the legal acumen of the Rats' attorney. Dennis F. O'Brien. The idea to circumvent managers and agents at their own game was be- licosely belched forth, but quickly flared up, with its originator, long since discredited. Feiber & Shea are the managers of several "pop" vaudeville theatres. BENEFIT FOR GOLDEN. San Francisco, Feb. 28. A benefit will be tendered to the widow and children of George Fuller Golden at the Columbia theatre March 8. Jas. F. Dolan and Jim Marco, rep- resenting the White Rats, have the affair in charge. RAY COX FALLS. Wilmington, Del., Feb. 28. Tuesday evening at Dockstader's theatre, as Ray Cox was presenting her new act, she made a miscalcula- tion while in a parachute, and fell to the stage. There is danger of her spine having been injured. Miss Cox retired from the pro- gram. For to-night's show, Nate Leipzig has her place. LOCAL CAPITALISTS BUILDING. Baltimore, Feb. 28. A Lawther Forrest, a local archi- tect who designed and superintended the building of the New theatre, this city, has been commissioned by local capitalists to prepare designs for a new theatre covering lqte 628, 626 and 627 N. Howard street, immediately opposite the Auditorium and the Academy of Music. Nearly all the necessary capital has been raised. Mr. Forrest stated to a Varibtt representative that definite plans and details would not be ready for a fortnight. The theatre may be known as The Majestic. CENTURY FOR PICTURES. Chicago, Feb. 28. The Century theatre, now running vaudeville, being booked independent- ly and owned by Archer Bros., was sold this week to the Schaefer Bros., of Jones, Linick ft Schaefer. The house goes into pictures commencing next week. JOINS BERT LESLIE'S SKETCH. Gertrude Demont, formerly of the White Plains stock company, was se- lected by Bert Leslie from about twen- ty applicants for the western trip of his "Hogan The Painter." FRISCO'S FIGHTING FLOOD. San Francisco, Feb. 28. For next week this town will have a surfeit of fistic luminaries. Ad Wol- gast is booked at Pantages, Johnny Kilbane at the Empress, and Abe Attell at the Portola. JIMMY BRITT'S NEXT DATE. Jimmy Britt's next date in vaude- ville will be the postponed one from Jan. 16. He is again slated for Ham- mersteln's, this time March 11. Mr. Britt missed the last connec- tion through a boat running behind schedule time. Since then he has been aiding public affairs around New York with his monolog, having scored one of the biggest hits at the Friars dinner to Weber and Fields. DANGER MAY HAVE ELOPED. Madeleine d'Harville, dancing part- ner with Maurice at Martin's cabaret show and in "Over the River," sud- denly withdrew last week without no- tice. It is whispered about town that she has eloped. Maurice replaced her with another woman on two hours' preparation. Madeleine is but eighteen years of age, and very popular in the Broadway feedery's cabaret GERTIE HAS JHVORGE. The Lusitanla, Tuesday night, car- ried away Gertrude Vanderbllt, who, with H. Clay Smith, will open at the Palace, London, March 11. The book- ing, entered through the H. B. Mar- lnelli New York office, came rather suddenly. Daisy Anderson accom- panied Miss Vanderbllt for companion- ship. The divorce action instituted by Miss Vanderbllt against Robert F. Dalley was heard in the Supreme Court last Friday. A preliminary de- cree was granted the dancer. The Lusitanla made its first mid- night departure this week. The New York sailing time of the Cunard lin- ers from this port will be one a. m. Wednesdays hereafter. The early de- parture is expected to land passen- gers in London at noontime the fol- lowing Monday. Cliff Bersac also left on the ship. He will be away until the late sum- mer. His acts left over here, one opening with the Barnum-Bailey show, will be under the direction of Mrs. Berzac. CHARLIE BRAY SLIPS. Chicago, Feb. 28. Charles E. Bray had a narrow es- cape from serious Injury yesterday afternoon while on a tour of inspec- tion of his new offices on the tenth floor of the Majestic Building, in com- pany with Messrs. Martin Beck, Morris Meyerfeld, Jr., Fred Henderson and Mort Singer. Bray had just started to descend the marble stairs of the eleventh floor when he slipped and fell down a dozen steps. He was severely shaken up, and was at once sent to his home. No bones were broken. It is expected his recovery will be rapid. "ALL WOMEN" TRAVEMNG. The "All Women" bills now playing the Williams' houses appear to have "made good" to the extent of contin- uing the plan in several of the 'her United houses. An "all women" bill is scheduled for Proctor's, Newark, headed by Eva Tanguay. The present Williams' "all women" program will play the Keith houses in Providence, Boston and Philadel- phia in April, with the exception of Charlotte Parry, who has already ap- peared in those towns this season. The Kaufman Troupe will also with- draw, owing to other bookings. GEPTRUDE BARNES "THE OH! JOY! OIRL' BARNES OUT OF FOY SHOW. "Over the River" at the Globe in another week will have to get along without T. Roy Barnes. He Rave his "notice" Tuesday, and will return to vaudeville (Barnes and Crawford) for a brief spell, before connecting with another production by Charles 13. Dil- lingham, to whom Mr. Fnrnes Is un- der contract. The cabaret portion of "Over the River" in which Mr Hamcs appeared, has been reported an not altogether pleasing Eddie ]\>y, the star. The nlglif f.j' tin big Houston (Tex.) Are Inst week "The Fortune Hunter" gave a performance, by candle light, with over $1,000 In the house.