Variety (April 1912)

10 VARI-BTY SPRING AND SUMMER SHOWS NOT PLENT IFULLY ANNOUNCED New Productions Running Behind The Usual Number At This Season. Three Musical Companies and - Two Revivals On The List There is a noticeable absence of an- «iouncements for spring and summer productions. Heretofore at this period Innumerable new shows, principally of the lighter order, have been in con- templation. At the present time only three new musical shows are an- nounced and two revivals. They are "A Modern Eve," which opened at Elkhart, Ind., April 6, pro- duced by Mort Singer; "A Winsome Widow," by Florens Ziegfeld, open- ing last Monday in Hartford, and which might come under the head of a revival since it is a new version of "A Trip to Chinatown"; "The Girl From Montmarte," opened April 8 at Atlantic City, under the direction of Charles Frohman; "Mama's Baby Boy," George W. Lederer's musical comedy, to be produced in Philadel- phia the latter part of the month. The revivals are "Patience," to be done by the Shuberts and William A. Brady, with De Wolf Hopper, Fritzl Scheff and other prominent players in the cast, and the all-star rehabilitation of "Robin Hood" at the New Amster- dam, May 6. The legitimate productions include Martin Beck's "The Glass House," opening last week, Syracuse; "When It Comes Home," Augustus Thomas' new play, produced by Charles Froh- man last week; "Within the Law," opening at the Princess, Chicago; "The Law and the Lawless," pro- duced in Plainfleld Saturday; "The Unwritten Law," Edwin Mil- ton Royle's latest play, to be pro- duced by Liebler & Co. shortly; "The Best People" and "The Gods of the Mountain," the two forming an evening's show and starring Cyril Scott, which opened in Buffalo Mon- day; "The 'Avalanche," starring Robt. Hilliard, scheduled for Philadelphia April 23; "The Governor's Lady," Da- vid Belasco's latest production, an- nounced for the Broad Street theatre. Philadelphia, April 2$; "The Di- vorce?" a drama, by William Anthony Maguire, announced for the Whitney Opera House, Chicago, April 20. BECK PLAT IN ST. LOUIS. St. Louis, April 10. "The Glass House," finely cast, with principal roles played by Katherine Kaelred, Kathryn Kidder, Edwin Ar- den, Tim Murphy, Ralph Morgan, Syd- ney Herbert, Olive Oliver and Rosa- mond Carpenter, tried "on the dog" at Syracuse last week had its first big city presentation here at the Century. The piece is adequately staged and while it cannot be proclaimed great, Is quite interesting. Were Louis K. Anspacher to extend his climax be- yond the second act it would help the piece immeasurably. The dialog is good. "A Modern Eve," also first given a road production at Peoria, 111., before opening here at the Shubert, displayed a corking good chorus and some pretty gowns to a large audience. Mort H. Singer's company includes William Norris, Georgie Drew Men- dum, Joseph Santley, Harriet Standon and Adele Rowland. SHOWS IN PHILIiY. Philadelphia, April 10. Easter Week proved a big help to all the shows in town. There were several new ones. "The Fascinating Widow" with Julian Eltinge jammed the Forrest and show was given a great send-off. The press was very favorable to Eltinge and the show. "Hanky-Panky" at the Lyric opened to a capacity audience and the show (was warmly received. Montgomery and Moore came in for a big share of the honors. The annual presentation of the Mask and Wig Club at the Chestnut Street Opera House is "Miss Helen of Troy." There was the usual sell-out for the entire week. . Of the shows that remain "The Sweetest Girl In Paris" is doing the big business at the Walnut and it will probably hold on for several weeks yet. Rose Stahl in "Maggie Pepper" is enjoying a run of good business at the Garrlck. Valeska Suratt and "The Red Rose" are not doing wel 1 at the Adelphl. CALIFORNIA "CHILD CASE." New Orleans, April 10. Ligon Johnson, the attorney, passed through this city Sunday en route to CaliXornia, where he is going to in- vestigate a case that may have signifi- cance upon the future of the stage child in that state. While apparently the case has no theatrical import to the layman, it might, if a favorable verdict is grant- ed it, be made the basis of an attack upon the stage child by the juvenile welfare organizations of California. If the verdict rendered is inimical to the- atrical interests Mr. Johnson will take the matter before the Supreme Court of the United States. "READY MONEY" MAKES GOOD. Chicago* April 10. "Sport" Herman and other stock- holders in the Cort theatre company are interested in the production of- "Ready Money," considered one of the biggest hits of the season here. "Ready Money" Is booked to open the season at the Cohan theatre, New York, in the early fall. FROHMAN'S **GIRL" BAD BOY. Atlantic City, April 10. "Tlie Girl From Montmarte" the Charles % Frohman musical revival of "The Girl From Maxim's" had its initial showing at the Apollo Monday night. It was an opening that will not go down in the records as auspicious. There were but few of the to-be-point- ed-out celebrities from New York around to witness the premier/and the audience was anything but flrst- nighty. "The Girl From Maxim's" U not set to music but rather with music. The music is the fault, because it Interferes with the action of the farce. Without music, however, it would simply be The Girjl From Maxim's." Hattie Williams U the star. Miss Williams Is out of her element. A rather large chorus Is carried, used in the second act and for an after climax only. The piece seemed unfinished In every way. Its ragged edges became tangled up after it had been running a few moments and became more mixed as it advanced. A very good cast surrounds the star but none distinguished themselves with the possible exception of a little blonde chorus girl whose "Turkey Trotting" was the only real applause getter of the show. The production is pretty and rich looking, but not elab- orate. The music is quite common- place. The catchy strain recalls a se- lection from "The Quaker Girl." The cast included Herbert Corthell, Emma Janvier, Will Danforth, Wil- liam Pruette, Edna Hunter, Arthur Stanford, Bertha Holly, Lennox Paule, Percy F. Leach, Mary Gilmore, Ella Ellison, Maud Allan, Frankle Lee, Arthur Llpson, Clifton P. Worman and Miss Williams. The show doesn't look to have a chance, even as a summer entertain- ment. It would take the most radical of changes to give it a peep in. MARGELINE MAY LEAVE HIP. Marceline, the famous "August," may not be a member of the Hippo- drome company next season. He has been a stellar attraction since the house opened and was originally im- ported by Thompson & Dundy under a contract calling for fifty-two weeks' salary a year whether he worked or not This continued until the current year when he was re-engaged by the Shuberts under a forty weeks' con- tract. Unless next season's booking arrangement with the Hippodrome calls for a full year's salary. Marce- line will not sign. "PINK LADY" FINISHING. Chicago, April 10. Klaw & Erlanger's "Pink Lady" will finish its run at the Colonial, also its season, April 20. CHICAGO LIKES NEW SHOWS. Chicago, April 10. "Within The Law" opening at the Princess this week, passed through the local cordon of critics with flying colors, everyone declaring the piece a winner. Augustus Thomas' new play "When Jt Comes High" was also well treated by local scribes. William Courtletgh came in for unlimited praise in hiB portrayal of the French character. The latter show Is at the Illinois. ANGRY AT ZIBGFHLD. There is a very Angry young woman around town. She is Gertrude Vanderbilt, who paid Alfred Butt, director of the Palace, London, an indemnity ($626) to secure her imme- diate release. Miss Vanderbilt came back to New York for Mr. Ziegfeld's Moulin Rouge show. It opened last night at the renamed New York the- atre, but Gertrude did not appear in it. Upon arrival the dancer was in- formed she could not be used in the production. Miss Vanderbilt, with H. Clay Smith, her dancing partner, will appear at the Palace, Chicago, next week. "A Winsome Widow" opened at Hartford Monday night, and was well reported from there. The final scene, ice skating, was not shown at the Hartford premiere. It may have been placed on view at the New York, although that was considered doubt- ful early In the week, when it was found necessary to cut down the "Widow" show one hour. Frank Tinney, Harry Conor, Brice and King, Kathleen Clifford and Nana (dancer) were the out of town hits with the production. Mr. Tinney be- sides presenting his specialty, played the role of a waiter, appearing during the second act in white face. The "Kinoplasticon" pictures were to have been shown last night as a free adjunct to the Moulin Rouge piece. The exhibit took place in the concert hall. It is the "Pepper Ghost" illusion, so well known over her. The Shuberts were reported this week as dickering with Harry Bissing, who produced the "Ghost" pictures, to withdraw it. The Shuberts have the American rights to some "Kinoplas- ticon" pictures, secured by Lee Shu- bert in Vienna on his last trip. It is likely the Shuberts will either buy Bissing off or bring some sort of action In an effort to restrain the free display. Other principals in the show are Emily Wehlen, Charles J. Ross, Dal- las Welford, Ida Adams, Dolly Sisters, Harry Kelly, Mae West, Sidney Jar- vis, Ethel Kelly, Jack Clifford, Ho- larion and Ceballos. The chorus is expected to become a drawing card, Ziegfeld having brought together a rare bunch. (Special Cable to Variety)) London, April 10. The Tivoli Syndicate has secured the English rights to the "Kinoplas- ticon." "LOU" GOING TO FRISCO. Chicago, April 10. At the Columbia, San Francisco, July 4, "Louisiana Lou" will appear. It will be the company now at the La Salle, with Barney Bernard in the leading role instead of Alexander Carr. The "No. 2" "Lou," with Sam Liebert, will continue over the one- nlghters. Before going into the "Lou" show for its western tour Mr. Bernard will play out some vaudeville time he and Lee Harrison have contracted for in the east.