Variety (April 1912)

VARIETY ACTORS' FUND CONTROL FIGHT IN FOR THCOMIN G ELECTION "Shubert" Against "K. & E.", With William A. Brady Next Probable Candidate Against Daniel Frohman. Denials Made of Any Factional Aspect to Election Ab the annual meeting of the Ac- tors' Fund approaches, when officers are elected for the ensuing year, all sorts of rumors are afloat of a seri- ous contest for control of the Fund. On one side are arrayed the allies of the Shuberts and on the other the Klaw & Erlanger cohorts, now in con- trol. Both factions are very careful not to make any personal allusions and to declare the placing of candidates in the field are not to be construed as attacks on the personal integrity of any one. The present officials are de- sirous of continuing, while the so- called Shubert candidates, said to be headed by William A. Brady, main- tain that any contest they may make is to dispose of the "perpetual con- trol" now prevailing in the present officials. They cite as a precedent that many years ago H. C. Miner headed the of- ficials in charge of the organization and that the present regime attended an election reinforced by a number of members who paid their dues on that occasion and outvoted the Miner clique. The by-laws were then altered to read that one must be a member for a given time and in good stand- ing before he could cast a vote. The insurgents are developing consider- able strength and an active contest it* looked for. A letter has been received by Variety, from an inmate of the home at West New Brighton, Staten Island, calling attention to the fact that F. F. Mackay is chairman of the Executive Committee of the Fund. He adds that Section 18 of the by-laws reads it is necessary for a member to be "earn- ing a living from, or in connection with, any respectable place of amuse- ment." Mr. Mackay, although an old time actor, runs a school of acting at present and is in no other way con- nected with the profession. ' i Chicago, April 17. Daniel Frohman is here in the in- terests of the big benefit given for the Actors' Fund at the Auditorium to-day. He was reluctant to make any statement about the Fund or the next election, adding that the matter was in the hands of the Nominating Committee. Mr. Frohman stated that the same kind of a contest was had every year and that he couldn't see where the nomination or election of William A. Brady would make any difference, and that neither the Shuberts nor Klaw & Erlanger would cut any ice as long as the funds of the organization were properly looked after. closed with only two days' notice. As a result of the short notice some of the members may sue for the usual "two weeks" salary. Though "Baron Trenck" is in the storage house F. C. Whitney is plann- ing the production of an American musical show, the first performance to take place at the Lyric, Philadel- phia, within a fortnight. H17KATT THROWS UP SPONGE. Philadelphia, April 17. The engagement of "The Red Rose" at the Adelphi was brought to a quick close Saturday night. One E. Moore, a theatrical manager of Ohio, attached the show Friday night because of broken contracts. Two shows Satur- day were given, after which the sponge was hurled into the air. It is said that every one connected with the organization has a few weeks' salary coming. Trunks, jew- elry and wearing apparel were left behind, while the owners scrambled on to New York to gather coin. Valeska Suratt and Co. at $2,500 a week is the way the vaudeville con- tracts read. The act opens at Proc- tor's, Newark, April 29, and comes into Hammersteln's the following week, placed by Jack Levy. 8PICY ROAD SHOW. "The Morning After," said to be a combination of "Confusion" and "Cap- tain Rackett" and with more spice than the "Girl in the Taxi," is a new piece which New York capital has sent out for a road tour. "HALF WAY" STARTS. "Half Way to Paris" opened in Hartford Monday and goes into Bos- ton next Monday for two weeks, after which it is to be brought to New York. Irving Stern, who financed Thomas W. Ryley's production of "Peggy," is said to occupy a similar position to Samuel E. Rork's latest venture. SHORT NOTICE FOR "TRENCK/' "Baron Trenck" closed Saturday night at the Casino. According to the statement of several of the members of the company the F. C. Whitney show HECK'S "GLASS HOUSE." Chicago, April 17. Martin Beck won't throw stones fit any other producer, after he is through with "The Glass House," first presented at the Chicago Opera House Sunday evening. The show isn't destined for a long nor profitable run. (It is reviewed elsewhere in this issue.) "The Glass House" opened at Syra- cuse to about $385 gross in two days, according to the story arriving here with the troupe. At St. Louis last week the company played to about $1,800 gross at 60-40, giving Mr. Beck net about $1,100 to pay a $3,400 salary list and other inciden- tals. FARNUMS TAKING A CHANCE. The regular season of A. H. Woods' production of "The Littlest Rebel" closed in Boston Saturday night. The Messrs. Dustin and William Furnum will conduct a supplementary season of five weeks through New England at their own risk, having induced the members of the company, with one exception, to continue at a reduction in their regular weekly wage. Next season Woods will send out two "Littlest Rebel" companies, one touring the east and another the west. The eastern organization will be headed by William and the western by Dustin Farnum. Of the nine weeks' run in Boston, the first five yielded a handsome profit and the final four, during Lent, showed a loss. PRIMA DONNA REING SUED. Antonio Arcaro is suing his wife, Flavla Arcaro, prima donna, for di- vorce in the New York Supreme Court. The case comes to trial next week. MISSISSIPPI RIVER SHOW. Hugh Fay, who has had a most profitable road season with "Little Miss Cut-Up," has planned a busy sum- mer. Fay has put the show on a boat and will play up and down the Mississippi. His sister, Elfie Fay, is not with the show at present. LAUNCHING "THE KNOCKER." Chicago, April 17. Merl H. Norton, who has several "Casey Jones" companies on the road, all playing to exceptional business, is, about to launch a new comedy entitled "The Knocker" in which the principal and title role will portray a dyspeptic old editor who inhabits a small western town. The piece will probably open in Easterville, la., and play a few weeks of one-nighters before coming into the more important cities. Norton's "Cas- ey Jones" shows will all remain out until mid-summer, when two will tra- vel Coastward. RROADHURST DECLINED POST. George H. Broadhurst was tendered the post of Shepherd of the Lambs Club, as stated in Variktv, a few weeks ago, but declined the honor owing to inability to give it sufficient personal attention. JOE GAITES' REVIVAL. Chicago, April 17. Joseph M. Galtes will produce about May 6 an all-star revival of "The Chimes of Normandy," at either the Illinois or Colonial theatre. Galtes already has Ralph Herz en- gaged and is negotiating with Limi Abarbanell and Raymond Hitchcock. FOUR PRODUCTIONS THIS MONTH. With the current week William A. Brady will have made four new pro- ductions during April "Within the Law" in Chicago; "The Best People." now aleo in Chicago; "Just Like John," comedy by George Itrnndlmrst and Mark Swan, produced in Hui- falo; "Little Miss Brown." in Cleve- land. $8,900 IN THREE DAYS. • The box oftice record of the New York theatre went to smash Saturday night, when F. Ziegfeld's "A Winsome Widow" drew $3,100 into the house. The best previous single show takings were by Anna Held at a Thanksgiving performance. The Saturday matinee netted the Moulin Rouge management $1,700, which, with $2,300 for the opening night (Thursday), and $1,800 the second night gave the new show $8,900 for the first three days of its New York existence. "A Winsome Widow" might have been boosted along somewhat for this week by the service upon Ziegfeld of papers in a divorce action started by his wife, Anna Held. Miss Held lately returned to New York. About ten days ago her husband was re- ported having called upon her to ef- fect a reconciliation. The divorce action is said to have been his answer. The New York gave a Sunday night concert, composed of acts con- tained with "The Widow" show. A fair attendance resulted for the first attempt, but the New York neither affected the Sunday crowds at the Winter Garden nor Hammersteln's. Each of the latter held capacity. Neither did the New York pull down any of the attendance at the Winter Garden during the earlier days. A similar style of performance is on view at both houses. It was rumored about when "A Win- some Widow" opened at Hartford the Shuberts sent three representatives there to look the production over and see what might be worth while. Lee Shubert is reported as feeling somewhat chagrined through the free exhibition of "Fantom Fotoes" at the New York. These illusionary mov- ing pictures are a reproduction of what the Shuberts intend to present under the caption of "Kinoplastikon." During the week the exhibit in the New York's concert hall was with- drawn, upon the plea of Reisenweber, who has the bar privilege, the caterer claiming it drew away from the liquid counter during intermission. The bar at the Moulin Rouge is in the former reception or smoking room, to the left of the orchestra. It wai also reported this week the Ziegfeld management was on the look- out for a substitute for Emmy Whelen, the principal woman of "The Widow," who has a "play or pay" contract for ten weeks. "A Winsome Widow" is an expen- sive production, and must do $16,000 weekly to make money. The Shuberts expected to have their "Kinoplastikon" pictures work- ing by the end of this week. Marcus Loew is interested financially in the project, and may first place the pic- ture at the Herald Square. F. Ziegfeld, Jr., is reported about to sail for England this w^k. Be- fore leaving lie engaged (through Jenie Jacobs) R?ie Samuels, a west- ern girl, who h;is been appearing on the Orpheus ('in ii.!, to take a role in "Tlie Follies of IU\ ■_'.■■ Monday nlglii M:ie W» i, a "rag singer ill The Widow " iil>l< J.I IV le. the <aHt and p'-enan-d i., return in v; (ideville. She will play Hammer- K'eiifs May 20.