Variety (April 1912)

VARIETY NEGOTIATIONS FOR FOREIGN ACTS DEC LARED OFF BY BECK Cable Orders Received Abroad to Stop Big Bookings for Orpheum Circuit. Believed Beck-Meyerfeld Crowd in with Keith Side. Keith Reported Forming Corporation to Take Over Williams 9 Houses London, April 24. All the negotiations for big foreign turns that were being handled by agents over here (including William Passpart, representative of the Or- pheum Circuit) have been declared off by cable received from Martin Beck. Several high-priced acts, some not having previously played in vaude- ville, were being angle*d for, for the New York and Chicago Palace the- atres of Beck's. Passpart may short- ly leave for America. The cessation of Orpheum book- ings is taken as a sign that Beck has given up all hope of securing the Percy G. Williams theatres, and is in doubt whether he will play vaudeville in the Palace theatres next season. The signs this week were that the cable message from London gave a good line on the present situation. It was strongly reported early in the week that the Beck-Meyerfeld people in the city (representing the Or- pheum Circuit) had agreed upon terms with the Keith side and that the deal was put over on behalf of the former by Morris Meyerfeld, Jr., president of the Orpheum Circuit, Beck not directly taking an active part in the arrangements. At the most important conference held with- in the past week between the two largest factors in vaudeville, Mr. Beck is said not to have been present. The siding of Mrs. C. E. Kohl with B. F. Keith is thought to have been the blow that brought about the peace agreement. The notice served upon Beck to discontinue the book- ing of the Majestic, Chicago (Mrs. Kohl's theatre), is reported as taking effect May 6. The presumption is by that time the Palace, Chicago, may change policy or announce its sum- mer closing, not to resume with Var- iety entertainment, if the deal with the United Booking Offices people as reported has been made. It was said Monday the Keith office had brought on to New York a high- priced Boston corporation attorney for the purpose of forming the cor- poration which will take ovor the Percy O. Williams theatres. In this corporation, it is said, Mr. Beck may be interested; and if so, the Palace, New York, when completed next fall, will find Borne entertainment other than vaudeville to keep it open. Mr. Williams will retain a 20 per cent, interest in his houses, according to the story, with the active operation of the circuit in Keith's hands, and the other United managers sufficiently interested also to make it unanimous among all the big time vaudeville in America, although S. Z. Poll is re- ported not to have been Invited to participate in any stock division that might have been made among the Keith theatrical associates. While the reports of the peace pact appeared to have good foundation, some vaudeville people still claim Beck will put up a fight to retain his name on the Palaces in New York and the west. A report from Cin- cinnati said Beck was endeavoring to secure a location in that town and had asked for an option on property on Walnut street, between Fifth and Sixth streets, and had also attempted to secure the northwest corner of Sixth and Walnut streets, which, with the property immediately adjacent to it on the westward side would make a desirable theatre plot. It was found, however, that under the will of Daniel Wolf the Wolf Estate can- not dispose of the property until 1914. Mr. Beck has been reported during the past few days inspecting theatres around New York not engaged in the vaudeville industry. One of those looked over by the Orpheum director was the Majestic, Brooklyn. None of the parties interested will talk on the subject. It is said the western people are waiting in New York until the legal documents, which will probably include a terri- torial agreement between the "east" and "west," are ready for their sig- natures. SHOW NOT BAD ENOUGH. (Special Cable to Variety,.) London, April 24. "Improper Peter" at the Garrick, a farcical comedy by Moncton and Hoffe is not naughty enough to be success- ful. Bouchier is still Bouchier and Herbert Sleath Is poor. Others in the cast are Frederick Kerr, James Carew, Mrs. Saba Raleigh, Julia James. RENTS SCALA MUSIC HALL. (Special Cable to Variety,.) Paris, April 24. The Scala music hall has been leased for four months from May 1. The summer tenant expects to present the Belgian operetta "Les Trols Amoureuses." DKARLY'S ENGLISH SKETCH. (Special Cable to Variety,.) Paris, April 24. Max Dearly has secured the French rights of "The Man in the Case" pro- duced at the London Palace this sea- son, played by Bouchier. Max will make the French translation, but will not appear in the sketch, chiefly be- cause the principal role is that of a woman, STOLL IS THE KEY. (Special Cable to Varibtt,.) IiOndon, April 24. Some big changes in the general vaudeville control of the halls here are foreshadowed. There are rumors concerning the possible retirement of Walter Gibbons and that the Hippodrome will come under the management of Oswald Stoll, who seems to hold the key to almost every situation. DECLARES CASEY IN. (Special Cable to Varibtt.) London, April 24. A. L. Erlanger and Pat Casey have secured the American rights to "The Spy," the English production privi- leges being held by George Alexander. FAVERSHAM'S "PANTHEA." (Special Cable to Variety.) London, April 24. "Panthea," by Monckton and Hoffe, has been secured by William Faver- sham for the United States, and by Cyril Maude for England. TENOR WHO CAN ACT. (Special Cable to Variety,.) London, April 24. A new tenor was revealed at Covent Garden Tuesday night in "La Tosca." His name Is Giovanni Martinelli. He is a good actor as well as possessing a voice of exceptional volume. RAD WEATHER AND BUSINESS. (Special Cable to Varibtt ►) Paris, April 24. The weather here is mild and trade poor. As a result the Scala closed abruptly April 22, and the Moulin Rouge Is reviving "The Belle of New York" early in May. BERNHARDT SHOW TAKEN OFF. (Special Cable to Variety,.) Paris, April 24. Mme. Sarah Bernhardt's production of "La Reine Elisabeth," produced April 19 at the Theatre Sarah Bern- hardt, has already been withdrawn. Bernhardt intends reviving Alfred de Musset's drama "Lorenzaccio" to terminate her present season. Bern- hardt will herself again play the masculine role of the Italian, which she so successfully rendered at the Renaissance fifteen years ago. MOSS VERY ILL. (Special Cable to Variety,) London, April 24. Sir Edward Moss has undergone a serious operation and is in a grave condition. LADIES* BAND A HIT. (Special Cable to Variety,.) London, April 24. Orchestra Femina, a band of forty women musicians, opened at the Hip- podrome Monday and are a hit. BRILLIANT SINGER DISCOVERED. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, April 24. In the presentation of "Carmen" at Convent Garden Saturday, a new and brilliant singer was disclosed in the person of Tarqulna Larqulna. She has been compare^ favorably pere with Emma Calve, A "BUMM COPY." (Special Cable to Varibtt*. ) London, April 24. Another job for the Internationale Artisen Loge and the International League of Artistes. A man who calls himself General Bumm (billing mat- ter is "America Eccentric Act") has taken the title of "General" from Ed. La vine. - In make-up he is a combination of Charles T. Aldrlch and Herbert Lloyd. Bumm has helped himself liberally to Aldrich's "growing trees" and to Her- bert Lloyd's Napoleonic material. As a "chooser," he is in the front rank, and as a performer, well named. Bumm is booked practically solid on the Continent until the end of July, but is now angling for dates in England. MORRIS AFTER T1VOLI. (Special Cable to Variety..) London, April 24. Another switch of plans in connec- tion with the appearance of Annette Kellermann over here has taken place. William Morris, who will manage the diver, is talking over a program with Henri Tozer for the Tivoli for the Kellermann season. The Tivoli is a "Syndicate" house. Another "Syndicate" hall, Oxford, was first selected by Morris for the en- gagement. TYPHUS EPIDEMIC REPORTED. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, April 24. Private advices from South America are to the effect there is an epidemic of typhus fever among English and American artists there. Two death8 are reported; also the trained monkey, "Prince Joseph First." GERALDINE ULMAR MARRYING. (Special Cable to Variety,.) London, April 24. Geraldine Ulmar Is to be married to Jack Thompson, ballad writer, to- morrow. ALHAMBRA AND PAUL MURRAY. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, April 24. Paul Murray has been approached regarding the post of manager of the Alhambra Music Hall. A number of people have been mentioned up to date, but no appointment has yet been made. ACT'S MATERIAL NOT RIGHT. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, April 24. Linton and Lawrence opened at the Tivoli Monday night and were moder- ately received. They have an indif- ferent selection of material which must be changed to suit local audi- ences. EXPLORING BRAZIL. (Special Cable to Variety,.) Paris, April 24. It is possible Andre Messager, co- director of the Paris Opera, may con- duct a troupe (Including the tenor Muratore) to Rio de Janeiro next summer.