Variety (December 1912)

VARI1TY 21 CORRESPONDENCE Unlets otherwise noted, the following reports are for the current week. J0H " ( J w^°"" 0R CHICAGO Representative VARIETY'S CHICAGO OFFICE: MAJE8TIC TflEATRE BUILDING The Ryan Brothers opened the bill and caused a gaep or two with their daring feats. The Six Tornados closed and held the larger part of the audience. Reed. MAJESTIC (Lyman B. Glover, mgr.; agent, Orpheum).—The second week of Bernhardt with the expected capacity business and a fair show. Monday night the Bernhardt company offered the first and second acts of "Phedre," Racine's tragedy, perhaps the poor- est in Madam's repertoire. It was accepted with far less interest than was shown in her Sirtrayal of "Lucretla Borgia" of last week, owever, Bernhardt is Bernhardt and whether she is doing "La Tosca" or a Peru- vian essay on "Uncle Thomas' Cabine," the audience naturally feels the Majestic is not getting away with anything when it puts top prices at a dollar a throw to see the divine one. She could probably pack 'em in here for months at that price. The vaudeville department opened with McMahan, Diamond and Clemence, a trio of dancers, who seem to have perfected a novelty in their little offering. The scarecrow bit and the young man's solo dance Insured their success. Ab- bott snd Curtis did nobly until they took one encore too many. This sent them away to a dead house. Miss Curtis, with an orig- inal idea in the way of a number, brought considerable applause, and Abbott's early work went big, but the early impression was killed through their effort to stretch the specialty out Up to the finale they were a big hit. Saranoff, a young violinist, who carries a production along with his instrument, combines grace, skill and a touch of art in his turn, bringing it away above the stereotyped single fiddler's who have a mania for gypsy costumes and suggestive groans. The best single vio- linist, without a doubt, that ever worked on a Majestic program. His name is Saranoff. Felix Adler was another to carry off big hon- ors. Adler, a bit out of the beaten path as a single, is a treat following the long list of monologists that have come this way dur- ing the past season. Charles and Fanny Van are always good. This week they seemed i x- ceptionlly so. A travesty labelled "And They Lived Happy Ever Afterward," offered by one Phillip Bartholomae, completed the vaude- ville department. It scored. The Heras Fam- ily were programed to show, but Bernhardt objected to acrobats and the bill ran one act short. Wynn. score heavily, but her songs were more or less applauded. Fred Watson and Rena San- tos were next to the last on the bill, and offered an entertainment which passed. Miss Ssntos has a peculiar quality of voice that is always a sure applause getter In vaudeville. AMERICAN MUSIC HALL (8am P. Oer- son, mgr.; Shuberts).—Dark. Will reopen Dec. 22 with Annette Kellermann show. AUDITORIUM (Bernard Ulrich, mgr.; Ind.) —Chicago Grand Opera Company offering repertoires to good business. Third season. BLACKSTONB (Augustus Pitou. mgr.; K. 4k E).—Robert Hilllard opened Monday night In The Argyle Case." Interest in the piece has been keen. CHICAGO OPERA HOUSE (George A. Kingsbury, mgr.; K. ft E.).—William Hodge in "The Man From Home," moderate busi- ness. OR AND O. H. (Harry Ridings, mgr.; B.).— "The Little Millionaire," very business. Brisk show which pleases. COLONIAL (James Jay Brady, mgr.; good K. * While In Omaha. Neb., several weeks ego* Valentine Vox, Jr., was playing a smell tre celled the Parlor, I was appearing at the American Hippodrome. Mr. Vex came to the theatre for five performances to watch my act. Immediately thereafter he started using several of my gags, thereby infringing en the United States copyright. Serial No. XXG606. The aforementioned gentleman Is also using the priori pal parts of Marshall Mont- gomery's act including his whistling finish, also several of the Great Lesters gaga. Unless Vox ceases to use my material at once, I will recourse to law aad push the matter to the limit. * PALACE (Mort H. Singer, mgr.; agent. Or- pheum).—Rather thin fare is offered this week at the Palace, but there are some moments wherein the Interest is more or less keen. The one bi act Is "Puss in Boots," a tabloid musical comedy In which there are numerous figurantes. Will J. Kennedy is the chief com- edian. The act is well dressed and moves with some little spirit. "Don," the "talking" dog, was put through his paces and caused some little astonishment. Loney Haskell's Intro- duction was the best part of the show, and he caused considerable laughter with his re- marks. Josle Heather, who sings songs, made a strong hit and was received with much en- thusiasm. She began quietly and kept get- ting better and better, and was forced to a speech of thanks. Mrs. Oene Hughes and hsr company gave a brisk exposition of the sketch. "Youth," by Edgar Allen Woolf. Mildred Orover, assisted by Dick Richards, did not 500 SUBSCRIPTIONS ALREADY SENT POEM PARODIES "Din McGinn" u »» The Ladies "Mandalay" "If" "The Bar Room Four" A GIFT WORTH GIVING HARRY BREENS BOOK OF POEMS "LOON LYRICS" AND OTHERS ORIGINAL POURS "Kisses and Caresses" "To P. G. W." "Getting Ready the Ball" "The Bungalow" "Clown Night" This Is not a Joke book, bnt contains twenty-five original poems, Just the kind to do when called upon to entertain. A beautiful book printed on heavy paper with an art cover. A valuable addition to your library. These poems are written to help pass the time away when nights are long, the town lonesome and friends few. I am not trying to fool my brother artists and yon can have your money back If yon are not satisfied with the book. Send $ 1 to IM Care of Tom Fltspatrick, Putnam Bldg., Times Square, New York City. E.).—Dark. "The Rose Maid" due later. "The Pink Lady" attraction Dec. 20. CORT (U. J. Hermann, mgr.; Ind.).—"Fine Feathers" still doing good business. Strong play dealing with modem questions. OARRICK (Asher Levy, mgr.; Shuberts).— Gilbert A 8ulllvan Festival Company opened Sunday night to good business In r 'Ths Pi- rates of Penzance." GLOBE (J. A. Browne, mgr.; Ind.).—Play- ing rentals and offering wrestling matches Monday nights. ILLINOIS (Will J. Davis, mgr.; K. * B.). —Blanche Ring in "The Wall Street Girl" to moderate business. Sunday Kitty Gordon ar- rives In "The Enchantress." LA SALLE O. H. (Harry Askin, mgr.; Ind.).— The Girl at the Gate," fifteenth week. McVICKER'S (George Warren, mgr.; K. ft B.).—"Little Wtomen" doing disappointing business. Sunday night Thomas W. Ross will play one performance of "The Only Son." OLYMPIC (Sam Lederer, mgr.; K. ft B.).— "The Million," gay farce, fair business. POWERS (Harry J. Powers, mgrj Harry Chappell, bus. mgr.; K. SB.).—"rears of Discretion," great success. One of the hits of the season. PRINCESS (Will Singer, mgr.; Shuberts and Brady).—"Bought and Paid For," moder- ate business. Good play well played. 8TUDBBAKBR (Edward Leonard, mgr.; Ind.).—"The Blindness of Virtue" well played and doing fair business. WHITNEY (Frank 0. Peers, mgr.; Ind.).— Saturday afternoon performances for children and grownups. COLLEGE (T. C. Gleason, mgr. ; Ind.).— Rodney Ranous and Marie Nelson In stock. Indications ars for good business. CROWN (Arthur Spink, mgr.; 8. 4 H.).— Traveling attractions. Good bills and at- tendance good. NATIONAL (John Barrett, mgr.; 8. ft H.).— Good traveling attractions. Business fsir. VICTORIA (Alfred Spink, mgr.; 8. ft H.).— 8. & H. attractions with good results ZIEGFBLD (W. K. Ziegfeld, mgr.; Ind.).— Dark. Maurice Abrahms and Al Wohlman, of the F. A. Mills music publishing company, ars In the city looking up some contracts. Frank O'Donnell, of Grand Rapids, was In Chicago this week transacting business with the W. M. V. A. Walter MeCullough Is getting together a compny which will play In "Conscience," the new one-act play by Norman B. Buckley. Forrest Wlnant has taken the role In "The Girl at the Gate," formerly played by Billy Gaston. The latter will go to Colorado for a rest and in an attempt to better an attack of bronchial trouble. James K. Hackett has sold "The Grain of Dust," to Vaughan Glaser and now finds him- self without a vehicle. He has gone east and will appear before the motion picture camera in "The Prisoner of Zenda." Diplomacy on the part of Charles Bhes, In- tsrnatlonal president of the I. A. T. 8. B., probably averted considerable trouble and the necessity of some explanations Isst wsek, when he Journeyed to Chicago from New York In order to lead the grand march of the Moving Picture Operator's Ball, hsld at the Coliseum. Shea was escorted to the dsnee hall by Abe Jacobs, stage manager of the Majestic theatre, who had purchased tickets for the event. Ar- riving at the Coliseum they were told to buy wardrobe checks or else right-about-face and take to the air. The gent demanding the extra coin was in- formed of the identity of the duo. but he was there for the money thing and steadfastly refused admission until the change was forth- coming. NICK DELL HUFFORD and CHAIN FIRST METROPOLITAN APPEARANCE FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE NEXT WEEK (Dec. 16). Direction, PAT CASEY WK*n a/mooring advertises***!** kindly mention TABIMTT.