Variety (December 1912)

18 VARIETY THE LAUDER SHOW. The program for the Harry Lauder Road Show under the direction of Wil- liam Morris, has been made up. The first performances of Mr. Lauder on his fifth American tour under the Morris management will take place at the Casino, New • York, for a week, com- mencing Dec. 23. On the bill with the Scotchman will he Little Freddie Hackett, from Lon- don; Archer Astill, also from the Lon- don; Rex Fox, Six Musical Cutty*, Three Barths, and the Scottish High- lander Band of 20 pieces. Astill is known as "The Whistling Plowboy." Jos. Vion will manage the Lauder show on tour; Jim Becker will go ahead of it. Last week the New York papers poked some fun at a bronze bust of himself, presented to William Morris by Lauder. The papers commented on the Scotchman's burst of extrava- gance, as the ornament was said to have cost $500. Morris' gift was one of two Lauder had cast. The comedian sat for the re- production with a smile on his face, as the bust itself testifies, although the sculptor may have kept the amount he intended charging a secret until after the sittings were over. Mr. Lauder will shortly lose his reputation for economy and thriftiness if he doesn't tighten up some on this trip over. Gaby Deslys has already outdistanced Lauder's championship record. Gaby, say the members of the company she is now with, can give Mr. Lauder a handicap of $99 in $100, and make her single case go further than Lauder's ninety-nine bucks. There have been several humorous instances (to Americans) of the "money grabber" from abroad. No one appears to care especially, though with professionals it soon becomes noised around and finds its way to the papers. Within the past five years, when big salaries have been paid by American managers to foreign actors, the difference in the amount received on this side and on their, native heath did not affect the savings bank habits of the man from abroad. One case was an Englishman, noted on the stage for his immaculate and modish attire. He received while here three times the salary ever previously paid him anywhere. Arriving in the port and clearing his baggage at the Customs, he was driven in a taxi to a Broadway hotel. His escort, after the registration process had been gone through with, said to the clerk, in an- swer to a query: "Give Mr. Blank a room and bath." "Oh, dear, no, old chap," replied Blank. "I shall only be here two weeks." "BERLINGOT" SUCCESSFUL. (Special Cable to Variety.) Paris, Dec. 16. Felix Mayol mounted at his own fashionable little theatre, the Mayol (formerly the Concert Parisien), the operette "Berlingot" Dec. 17. The piece, by L. Boyer and Bataille- Henry, was fairly successful. The troupe is composed of clever music hall people, among them being Mayol, Mile. Paula Morley, Senja and Frejol. LEVY GOES GUNNING. Jack Levy went gunning Sunday afternoon for B. F. Keith, with whom he has been at odds since he was de- barred from booking acts on the sixth floor of the Putnam building. Some time ago he brought suit against the United Booking Offices to- recover one-half the commissions al- leged to have been withheld from him, and applying for a dissolution, through the Attorney General, of the U. B. O. and Vaudeville Collection Agency. A decision has not yet been rendered in that case. Last Friday Irene D'Arville, a per- former, secured a judgment against Levy for $175, claiming she paid Levy that amount for booming her and that her money was not expended by Levy as per agreement. Her case was pros- ecuted by Maurice Goodman's office —the attorney for the U. B. O. Probably in retaliation Levy asserts that he witnessed Sunday afternoon's performance at the Colonial, after which he visited the West 58th street police station to file a complaint for breach of the Sabbath. There he was CURRY AND RILEY Wish everyone a Merry Xmaa and Happy New Tear. Under the personal direction of IRVING M. COOPER. told to appear in the West 54th street police station Monday and apply for a summons or warrant for the man- ager of the theatre. The testimony in the case against Levy brought out that Miss D'Arville was sent for by John J. Murdock (of the U. B. O.), who referred her to Goodman. Levy testified he had print ed a number of blotters with Miss D'Arville's name on them, produced items from theatrical papers as proof of press work performed, and also at- tended to the usual duties of an agent in connection with Miss D'Arville. POLITICAL SATIRE. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Dec. 16. The Gaiety theatre has introduced this week a revue number. It is built along lines of political satire, the point of the fun being in the situation of complete dominance over England of the Irish. REPRODUCING "FRANKFURTERS." "The Five Frankforters," which the Shuberts gave a road presentation earlier in the season, is not to be abandoned by them altogether. It is reported the Shuberts produced the show before Nov. 1 in order to pro- tect their option. It Is almost a cer- tainty the piece will be reproduced with a stronger cast and more thor- oughly rehearsed. The Shuberts are engaging people for their new production of the Chi- nese comedy, "Tourandot," which Wil- liam A. Brady at one time thought would be the proper vehicle for his wife, Grace George. It is now the plan to put on the Chink play by Feb. 15. It is understood some sort of arrange- ment may be made for the extension of the option expiring Jan. 1. EDDIE LEONARD IN WHTTEFACE. A distinct departure has been made by Eddie Leonard, the famous minstrel, who is appearing in vaudeville with Mabel Russell at the Colonial this week in whiteface for the first time in New York. Minstrels as a rule, once they get under the cork, remain "blackface com- edians" for the remainder of their stage careers. Mr. Leonard thought he would see the trend of the theatrical times and go them one better, by leav- ing the dark face thing alone. Re- ports from the road where he has been playing in whiteface, with Miss Russett, have approved the change, indicating it has tended to increase the value of Mr. Leonard's performance. WOLHEIM SLIPS IN. The Mauretania on its Christmas trip last week brought into New York A. Wolheim, the foreign agent with head- quarters in London. No one knew of Mr. Wolheim's departure from the oth- er side. Since resigning as the London man- ager of the H. B. Marinelli agency, Mr. Wolheim, who is very well up in in- ternational theatrical bookings, has es- tablished himself quite firmly. It was some years ago when Wolheim last saw New York. At that time he was the manager of the Marinelli New York branch. Though Wolheim declines to offer any special reason for his visit to New York at this time, it is said he con- templates the enlargement of his agency (perhaps in conjunction with other agents) until it shall have rep- resentation in all the principal centres. Wolheim expects to sail from New York Jan. 6. He i staying while here, at the Hotel Rector. ROSCO LEAVES ACT. (Special Cable to Vaibty.) London, Dec. 16. Bosco has dissolved partnership with LeRoy and Talma. He will produce a new comedy conjuring act. PANTO DISAPPOINTING. (Special Cable to Vaihty.) London, Dec. 16. The pantomime "Alladin" at the Em- pire is disappointing. It is genera'ly dismissed as a rather poor attempt. LOOKING FOR THEATRES. (Special Cable to Variety.) Paris, Dec. 16. Some American capitalists have their eyes on Paris as a centre for vaudeville enterprise. Investigations are being made with the object of finding two or three establishments which can be ac- quired. Four is the number even men- tioned. The interested parties may be satisfied with a couple if they can be found. There appears to be a great deal of secrecy over the quest. BESSE MUNRO Imported to support Alice Lloyd In "Little MIm Fix-It," Besae Munro. who halls from London, has been persuaded to remain on this side for another season, continuing under the direction of Werba A Lueaoher. "