Variety (September 1912)

8 VARIETY VAUDEVILLE IS VAUDEVILLE WITHO UT ANY DISTINCTION Say William Rock and Maude Fulton. Open To Highest Bidder For This Season. Will Play Any Circuit Paying Their Salary, Whether Two or More Shows Daily There is no distinction nowadays >'n vaudeville, according to the statement accredited to William Rock, of Will- iam Rock and Maude Fulton. Whether a house plays two or three shows dailv iii'*an no loss in caste to the a:t appearing for any manager or circuit paying the salary asked, is the prin- ciple upon which Mr. Rock is prcpar- i*% la . 'd the season in the variety field. Rock and Fulton play in New York at the Fifth Avenue theatre commenc- ing Sept. 16. While there Mr. Rock is quoted as saying, they will place a price upon their act for the remainder of the season, without any restrictions. The first manager to meet that price (or another if mutually agreed upon) will secure their services. Once a manager pays what is asked, accord- ing to Rock, the manager is the sole arbiter of how many shows daily the act shrill play. The Rock theory is the act sells its services at a stipulated figure, and it is up to the management paying the money to say how the serv- ices shall best be utilized. . Rock and Fulton are in the "head- fin e da*-." They probably ask around 61,000 weekly. It is the first big turn to publicly state they will play for whomsoever may meet their demands, although, other "headline" acts in the past (receiving as much as $1,000) have appeared in theatres where three shows daily were given. Wit it the "small time" vaudeville (as uip. "three-daily" houses are call- ed) rapidly advancing in quality and rlass r.t* bills, the vaudeville contingent which has heard about the Rock and Fultr.n stand believe their attitude may be the start of a general reversal of feeling among artists over the "three- a-dny" tl eatres. APPEALING TO CONVENTION. The Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor de- cided A v. gust 30 on the complaint and protest r iled by Harry DeVeaux and others rcrainst the White Rats Actors' Union ('an affiliated body of the A. F. m !_..'■ that "The White Rats Actors' Vpion has absolute autonomy to con- da t the affairs of their union, and ?1 ttfoie the protests canno* be con- sul/red by the Executive Council, and f > Oie further information of the pro- t *t..:i»<s, that only in case of violation < f th? terms of amalgamation between k h<- White T\ats Actors' Union and the A . >rs' Union can the Executive Council take cognizance of a dissen- sion in the ranks of the White Rats Actors' Union." Upon the decision being handed down, Mr. DeVeaux served notice upon President Samuel Gompers that he will appeal to the convention of the \. F. of L., to be held at Rochester. V., in November. Mr. DeVeaux states that the de- cision of the Executive Council wis anticipated and a ruling had been ask- ed for merely to enable the complain- ants to officially bring the matter of the protests against the White Rats before the national convention, on ap- peal. The friction in the actors' union dates back to the expulsion of Mr. DeVeaux and other members, which matters have been taken up by sev- eral locals, with recommendations following that the charter of the Rats union be revoked. At the weekly meeting of the Cen- tral Federated Union in New York last Friday night, a resolution was in- troduced calling upon the State Fede- ration to unseat any delegate of the White Rats Actors' Union who may be present at the annual convention, to be held at Poughkeepsie Sept. 17. This proceeding is not connected with the former hearing before the C. F. U. which decided to recommend the National Convention of the Ameri- can Federation of La'bor at Rochester in November, to withdraw the Rats charter. It is claimed the White Rats vio- late the unions' constitution by refus- ing to recognize local autonomy. If the resolution to unseat is carried at Poughkeepsie, this will practically shut the Rats out from all A. F. of L. labor affiliation in New York State. San Francisco, Sept. 2. The local office of the White Rats Actors' Union has been closed. It 's said to be along the lines of a new economic policy going into effect in various affairs of the Rats which have proven a heavy drain upon the so- ciety's resources. The economy being practiced by the White Rats has reduced the staff of its official organ to four people, which includes one stenographer, two ad- vertising solicitors and one writer. The policy of the paper, since the re- tirement of Walter K. Hill Aug. 31 (upon the expiration of his contract for one year) will be directed by the Publishing Committee, acting in con- junction with the Board of Directors. The Publishing Committee is com- posed of William J. Cooke and W. W. Waters, both officials of the Rats. "DRAKE," GREAT SPECTACULAR. ("Special Cable to Variety.) London, Sept. 4. Louis N. Parker's melodrama. "Drake." produced by Sir Herbert Tree at His Majesty's theatre last night, is a great spectacular play, ro- mantic and human. Its mounting is magnificent Lyn Harding, Phyllis Neilson, Terry and Basset Roc took the honors. VAUDEVILLE EPILAUGHS By WILLIAM JEROME. I stopped to light a cheap cigar, That's how I lost my motor car. 1 had a company of thirteen, Hut twelve were painted on the scene. I laughed so much at Harry Fox The usher made me leave the box. I used to be with Ward and Vokes, Perhaps you know me, Harold Stokes. Until I sang a song in tights I had the agents dead to rights. Jack Gleason said I'd be a hit, Of course you will, said Jimmy Britt. When J. H. Remick comes to town You'll see more then Seymour Brown. Oh, how I'd like to rest my back Inside a 40 Cadillac! OCEAN PARK WIPED OUT. Los Angeles, Sept. 4. The entire amusement zone at Ocean Park was swept by fire last night and all the places completely de- stroyed, including Frazer's Million Dollar Pier, Starland theatre, La- Petite picture theatre, Shell's picture theatre, Brooks' picture theatre, the skating rink, Thompson's "Dragon Gorge" scenic railway and practically all the concessions on the ocean front The total loss is considerably ove* a million dollars, partially insured. There will be a joint meeting to- night of the Ocean Park ChamVr ui Commerce, the concessionaires and a 1 ! others affected financially by the con- flagration, to discuss ways and means for a general rehabilitation. Frazer declares it as his intention to commence immediately the work of rebuilding. This is expected to become general, with a bigger and better re- sort than ever next season. S-C'S NORTH SIDE EMPRESS. Chicago, Sept. 4. There will be a North Side Em- press theatre for the Sullivan-Consi- dine Circuit. It is said Fred T. Lin- coln, general manager of the chain, selected the site before leaving here for the east. The house will seat 1,- 800 and open before this season ends. No information as to exact location will be given out until all the details are taken care of. This will give the S-C people three Empress theatres in Chicago. The second one, at Halstead and 63d streets, is expected to be finished by New Year's. There is an Empress now playing the S-C road shows. The three houses will be known as the Halsted Empress, Cottage Grove Empress, and probably the North Side Empress. BRINGING OVER NEW PLAYS. (Special Cable to Variety.) Cosmo Hamilton sails on the Oceanic this week for America to su- perintend the production there of "The Blindness of Virtue." "GUYS." (Acknowledgment to Goldberg.) Joe Howard—The guy that put the "Cop" in copyright. Eddie Feiner—The guy that put the "stall" in installments. Joe Schenck—The guy that put the "Pal" in Palisades. U. B. O.—The guys that put the- "leave" in Levy. Houdini—The guy that put the "hand" in handcuffs. B. F. Keith—The guy that put the* "purse" in Percy Williams. Frank Tinney—The guy that put the "Win" in "The Winsome Widow." Fred Stone—The guy that put the "verse" in Versatile. Doc Steiner—The guy that put the "rye" in Rialto. Chris Brown—The guy that put the sack in Sacramento. Johnnie O'Connor—The guy that put the barn in Barnebee. Sittner—The guy that put the shut in shutters. Pat Casey—The guy that put the Mart-in Beck. Guy Rawson—The "guy" that's got the "Guy" in Rawson. Leo Edwards—The guy that put the "Symp" in Symphony. FUNNY GINK, THAT PATSY. Bert Green and Fatsy Morrison arc at it again. Once every season Bert and Patsy go to the mat over some little thing or other. Last season after Irene Franklin had played the house for a week, Bert laid a well founded kick against the dressing rooms of the Rockaway House. Patsy found the complaint quite interesting and amusing. Patsy finds most things amusing. He can even see something funny in the prices for the food his brother serves at the restaurant annexed to the Rock- away theatre. This time, however, it isn't dressing rooms, but $100. Patsy may not deem this as humorous. Miss Franklin was forced to post- pone her original date at Morrison's this season through illness, and the engagement was moved back one week. Patsy had billed Miss Franklin^ heavily for the first date, but said nothing about that. When pay night came last week Patsy held out $100, charging it up to extra billings. And now Gus Drcycr is going to try to collect that $100 from Patsy. SEASIDE HOUSE, MILLER'S. Atlantic City, Sept. 4. William W. Miller, of Philadelphia, will manage the new vaudeville house to be built on Atlantic avenue. Con- tracts for the construction of the theatre will be let during the next couple of weeks. The estimated cost is $150,000. Miller's policy here will be the same as at the William Penn theatre, Phil- adelphia, which he controls, besides being interested in other houses there. William P. Hadden, manager of the Colonial Septet, is ill and will remain in a sanitarium until recovered. ITALIAN OPERA CO. AT COL. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Sept. 4 The Italian Opera Company oper,t i in "Pagliacci" at the Coliseum Mot day, revealing a fine organization f singers, with a special setting