Variety (December 1912)

\2 VARIETY REIS CIRCUIT LEASES FIVE THEATRES FOR VAUDEVILLE One-Night Legitimate Chain Finding it Hard to Secure Drawing Attractions. Mittenthals Take Houses for Pop Vaudeville. Also Leases Grand, Canton, to Feiber & Shea. May Dispose of Others. M. Reis has leased to the Mittenthals his theatres at Pottsville, Sharon, Oil City, Hazleton (Pa.), and Auburn, N. Y,. for pop vaudeville. The Reis Circuit has been playing legi- timate combinations on its one-night chain. Drawing attractions sc far this season have been difficult to obtain. The shows that travel have been of little value to the box office. The Reis houses at Syracuse and Roch- ester are "dark" this week. It is re- ported Mr. Reis may be willing to part with Other houses on his time, or if the Mittenthals manage to get the money with the vaudeville and picture policy at cheap prices, the Reis Circuit may go into that branch exclusively, holding out a night or so weekly for big shows, when the vaudeville bill will be with- drawn for the one performance. That well known attractions do draw was attested the other day in Bradford, Pa., a "Reis town" and of about 15,000 population. "Officer 666" drew in $1,000 for the single show. The Reis houses are suffering from the general complaint on the road, not enough good shows. Attractions, even with the Broadway brand, must be Al to extract $2 or less. "Ready Money," after a long run at the Elliott, New York, has failed to do strong business since going into the wilds. Canton, O., Dec. 11. The Grand Opera House of this city has been leased by M. Reis to Feiber & Shea, of New York. They take posses- sion Dec. 28, with policy as yet unan- nounced. Canton has the Orpheum, playing pop vaudeville, booked by Gus Sun, and the United Booking Offices will send vaude- ville to the new theatre here opening Dec. 21. "THE SKIRT** STARTS SOMETHING Cohan & Harris have accepted from Junie McCree and Eddie Clark, a three- act farce called "The Tale of a Coat." The story is based on a plot similar to that which appeared in a paragraph written by "The Skirt" of Variety's staff, and published about two years ago. Since then it has been used by he moving picture people. BREESE GOING TO STAR. Werba & Luescher have signed a contract with Edmund Breese, by which that actor will be starred under their management, in a new play to be produced shortly after the first of the year. BLOSSOM CAN'T WAIT. Henry M. Blossom has cancelled his contract with Werba & Luescher to write the lyrics for Christie MacDon- ald's new show, founded on the story by "Henri de Gressac" (Mrs. Victor Maurcl), music by Victor Herbert. This is due to the delay of Mrs. Mau- rel in completing the book, which in- terfered with other work Blossom had contracted for. Harry B. Smith will replace Blossom in the manufacture of the new work. AMATEURS DRAW ATTENTION. Chicago, Dec. 11. The Hull House Players are appear- ing this week in the Fine Arts the- atre, in "Justice," "The Pigeon" and "The Tragedy of Nan." The organiza- tion is semi-amateur. It has been of- fering plays that are not seen in the regular theatres for some years and has met with much critical commenda- tion. The company usually plays in the little theatre in Hull House, the famous settlement centre which is under the direction of Jane Addams. The com- pany is growing in power and import- ance, and will probably become much more widely known in the next year or so. "ARGYLE CASE** GOOD STORY. Chicago, Dec. 11. "The Argyle Case," as presented Sunday night at the Blackstone, dis- closes a vigorous detective story of good melodramatic quality. The au- thorship is ascribed to William J. Burns, the famous detective, who wit- nessed the first performance here. Robert Hilliard has the role of the sleuth, which he plays easily and with much nonchalance. His company numbers twenty-two. Each has some part of the story to tell. The attraction shows evidences of having qualities that will allow it to remain on the boards for some time, and ought to serve Mr. Hilliard for a season or two. $156,000 IN 13 WEEKS. The first three months for the El- tinge Theatre on West 42d street ended last Saturday. "Within the Law" opened the new house, and still remains the big hit of New York's theatrical season. The Bayard Veiller play brought in- tfc) the Eltinge 1 during the thirteen weeks $156,000, giving the theatre a profit of $40,000 on the sharing terms (50-50), and netting the show about $50,000. If the average of receipts continues, (and from the advance sale that ap- pears very probable) A. H. Woods, who owns the Eltinge, will have won himself out on the theatre proposition during the first season. The prospects are so good, it is said, Woods has agreed with himself to make his offices in the upper part of the theatre pay $3,000 rent next season, just to make it harder. NEW YORK MAGICAL THEATRE. P. T. Selbit and Walter Hast have each put up $500 in a new venture which will come to materialization next fall. These men have contracted to lease a site on Broadway or within close proximity of the Big Street where they will open the "House of Mystery," a place of amusement to be conducted along the same lines as the big magical show in St. George's Hall, London, operated by Maskelyne & Devant. HOWARD NOT ACTING. Chicago, Dec. 11. Joseph E. Howard, author and song writer, was in Chicago this week mak- ing preparations to bring his new piece "Frivolous Geraldine" to the Olympic Dec. 22. It will be tried out in In- dianapolis Dec. 19. Mabel McCane and Jack Gardner will have the principal roles. Howard wrote the music. The book is by an Indianapolis writer. Mr. Howard will not be seen in the new musical offer- ing. Leona Stephens, formerly with Ed- die Foy in "Over the River," has been engaged for the new Howard show. Boston, Dec. 11. After coming on to see "Over the River," Elsie Faye, wanted for the role that Leona Stephens played, returned to New York without rehearsing. GERMAN MUSICAL COMEDY. "The Pearl of Holland," a musical comedy of German color, is in re- hearsal under the direction of the Nor- cross Amusement Co. (Frank M. Nor- cross, general manager.) It will open Dec 23. A cabaret scene is to be a feature. RUDOLF CHRISTIANS RETURNING Rudolf Christians, a prominent actor of the Koenizl Schauspielhaus, Berlin, is scheduled to come to New York Christmas to appear in a series of plays at the Irving Place Theatre. Christians was in New York before, putting on some shows here in as- sociation with Heinrich Conried. He can play either a light comedy role or do "Hamlet" in French. The German company isn't tackli.ig any musical pieces this season. In- stead the Irving Place troupe is offer- ing all comedies, farces and dramas. ADVANCE MAN WITH $700. Everybody laughs when they hear about it, but there are people ready to vouch for the truth of the tale. That a bank may fail is admissible, but that an advance man can save $700 is beyond comprehension. His brethren of the craft say if Bill Wright saved $700 and put it in a bank, he deserved to lose it. That's what Bill did, and to make it worse, picked out a bank in Birming- ham, Ala., because it advertised to pay 5 per cent, interest. Mr. Wright doesn't know yet whether it kept its promise, as the bank did a little finan- cial somersault. Bill Wright is still ahead of "Every- woman," and shutting his eyes at the "Sirloin Steak, 90 cents," line on the diners. WALLER GOING TO CANADA. Philadelphia, Dec. 11. When the two weeks' engagement of Lewis Waller and Madge Titheradge in "A Butterfly on the Wheel" ends at the Adelphi, it is understood the principals will produce a new play, going into Can- ada with it. They are rehearsing the show, accord- ing to report, while appearing at the local house. Mr. Waller asks Variety to emphat- ically deny he is in any way interested in any corporation formed for the pur- pose of promoting some theatrical venture. It was reported the corpora- tion was being formed here with local capitalists behind it. CHICAGO A ONE-NIGHTER. Chicago, Dec. 11. Chauncey Olcott and Thomas W. Ross are using Chicago as a one-night stand with good results. Last Sunday night Mr. Olcott came to McVicker's for one performance as "Little Women" did not play that night. Sunday night Thomas W. Ross will play the house, offering "The Only Son." WAITING FOR REHEARSALS. Lucille Watson signed this week for the E. J. Bowes production of "A Man's Way," by Thompson Buchanan. Rehearsals^ are expected to start within a fortnight. Until they are called, Ann Murdock, who is to play the leading feminine role, will enjoy a rest at West Baden Springs. WRITING "SYLVIA." Cyril Morton Home, at present playing the part he created in "Officer 666" in Chicago, is writing the libretto, lyrics and music of a new musical comedy to be entitled "Sylvia." He will be assisted in the libretto by Augustin MacHugh, outhor of "Of- ficer 666." MacHugh has recovered from his recent illness and : '|§ .expected shortly to be about once more. CARTER DE HAVEN'S COMEDY. Boston, Dec. 11. Carter De Haven is writing a comedy in which he is going to appear, accord- ing to his own statement. GRAND OPERA FIRST. San Francisco, Dec. 11. Work is progressing with encourag- ing rapidity on the construction of the new Tivoli Opera House that "Doc" William H. Leahy and his confreres are erecting on Eddy street, between Powell and Mason streets. March 11 has been selected as the date on which the formal opening of the playhouse is to take place. KELLERD AT EMPIRE. Syracuse, Dec. 11. Ralph Kellerd is announced to re- turn to stock here, the Empire likely being secured as his new home. Last year Kellerd headed his own company at the Wieting Opera House where he established a local >*or.k .- xord. Mr. Kellerd has b' n i:o e com- pleting arrangements.