Variety (December 1912)

VARIETY HALL IN PATERSON. Louis Leon Hall has been engaged as the new leading man of the Pater- son (N. J.) Opera House stock, suc- ceeding Charles Dingle who left this week for Jersey City, where he goes to the Orpheum. Hall opened in "The Greyhound." Trenton, N. J., Dec. 26. Joseph Gillow has been signed as leading man of the Broad Street the- atre here, replacing James Cunningham who retired from the company last week. Hoboken, N. J., Dec. 26. Lawrence Dunbar has been engaged as the successor of Bernard McOwen at the Gaiety stock, the latter jump- ing to the Orpheum Players, Jersey City. MAKING A RECORD. Providence, Dec. 24. The Empire stock, Spitz & Nathan- son, directors, is now in its tenth month, and during that time there has not been a single change in the com- pany. Lovell-Alice Taylor, leading woman, has not missed a rehearsal nor a per- formance and has not duplicated a sin- gle costume for the different stock shows. The Empire and its leading woman have established a stock record that will be something to equal. VIRGINIA MILLIMAN LEADING. Brocton, Dec. 26. Virginia Milliman opened Monday as the new leading woman of the Monte Thompson stock company, playing a permanent engagement at the Hatha- way theatre. GOING HOME TO REST. Jimmie Jimeson, late of the Orphe- um Players, Jersey City, is going to take a long rest, leaving last week for her home in Denver, where she will remain until next spring. Miss Jimeson was the financee of Alfred Hudson, the actor, who com- mitted suicide by asphyxiation. WALTER JONES IN "BABY MINE." New Orleans, Dec. 26. Walter Jones joined "Baby Mine" here Sunday. CORRESPONDENCE Unlets otherwise noted, the following report! arc for the current week. m *L™ m * CHICAGO" (WYNN) Representative VARIETY'S CHICAGO OFFICE: MA.1ESTIC TBEATRE BUILDING MAJESTIC (Lyman B. Glover, mgr.; agent, U. B. O.).—The Majestic has one of Its usual good shows this week headed by Bertha Kallch and Co., In "A Light from St. Agnes" a won- derfully Improved vehicle since Its last visit to Chicago. Before the light audience Monday evening (something expected since the depart- ment stores were doing capacity business) Miss Kallch walked away with all honors with- out a struggle. Three exceptionally big hits were registered by the Primrose Quartet in next to closing spot. Diamond and Brennan and Armstrong and Clark. Jim Diamond, who specializes In new partners, has evidently made his final selection ,at least he seems to have landed the first one who can foil for him to perfection. His dancing coupled with Miss Brennan's appearance and voice managed to keep the audience around the applauding point all during their stay. Armstrong and "Muskegon" Billy Clark in fourth spot went over big. They have a neat and original Idea to plug their own compositions and found favor from beginning to end. After The Takl- ness and Ben Lewln had done away with the early positions, Ashley and Lee In "A Night In Chinatown" and the duolog parodies held the platform for a long time, encoring through several numbers and some laughs. Lee. who Is new to the act (at least as far as Chicago goes), looks considerable like his predecessor, but doesn't quite equal him In ability. How- ever, he made a dandy little straight for Ash- ley's Hebrew character, and together they easily held up their end. Jessie Busley and Co.. In "Miss 318." one of Rupert Hughes' stories that helped Increase the circulation of the Saturday Evening Post, went over nicely. Full of bright slang and well acted, the sketch succeeded on Its merits and the fact that It Is a decided novelty. Following the Primrose Four who have added both speed and more weight to their appearance since their last local visit, came the Four Doric Comlques, who entertained the walking audience with the usual brand of comlque act. WTNN. of 1012" had the place of honor, and gave emi- nent satisfaction. Monday night his act went so well Edwards was c»lled before the curtain for a speech. A diminutive lad billed as "Lit- tle Georgle" did some Impersonating, which brought down the house. John F. Conroy, billed as a life saver, with the assistance of models and divers gave an exhibition that went big. Belle Baker, who made a very short stay at this house some time ago, must have felt proud over her reception. She gave a sort of recital of ragtime and coon songs and was called back again and again. It was quite evident that she had many friends In the house. The Bison City Four was another act that went with a rousing rush. The singers were on their mettle and put It over light. Frank Milton and the De Long Sisters pre- sented a semi sketch called "Twenty Minutes Layover at Alfalfa Junction" with satisfaction to everybody. While the act is not new here, it is always welcome and Milton's depiction of a country yokel, who holds every office in the tank. Is really worth while. Billy K. Wells, worked hard and finally had his audience shouting with laughter. He has some fairly good stuff and delivers It with some little unction. One of the particularly appropriate events of the program was the act called "The Awakening of Toys" In which Frank De Witt, Charles Burns and Madge Torrence were seen. This act has many surprises and holds the In- terest well. The acrobatic feats were good and one or two elicited spontaneous applause. There are several things In the piece which touch on the holiday time and this seemed to fit In with the mood of the audience. Mile. Lorette had the honor of opening the bill with her visions In old gold statues. REED. PALACE MUSIC HALL (Mort H. Singer, mgr.; agents, Orpheum).—Good, clean comedy elements predominate In the bill this week, ranging from ragtime singing to a tabloid mu- sical comedy, and there Is fun from beginning to end. Gus Edwards and his "Song Revue AMERICAN MUSIC HALL (Sam. P. Ger- son, mgr.; Shuberts).—"Barnyard Romeo." AUDITORIUM (Bernard Ulrtch. mgr.; Ind.). —Chicago Grand Opera Company In repertoire. BLACKSTONE (Augustus Pltou, mgr.; K. & E.).—"The Concert," second time In this house. Leo Dltiichsteln Is the chief figure. CHICAGO OPERA HOUSE (George A. Kingsbury, mgr.; K. A B.).—Louis Mann open- ed Monday night In "Elevating a Husband." Indications good for short run. GRAND OPERA HOUSE (Harry Ridings, mgr.; K. ft E.).—"Exceeding the Speed Lira- it," new farce with Carter De Haven and Elizabeth Murray, opened Monday night. COLONIAL (James Jay Brady, mgr.; K. & E.).—"The Pink Lady" due next week, with original company. This is the second helping of this dish, but this time the seasoning prom- ised Is of a higher flavor. CORT (U. J. Hermann, mgr.; Ind.).—"Our Wives," with Henry Kolker, opened Sunday night. "Fine Feathers" closed Saturday after one of the longest runs of the season. GARRICK (Asher Levy, mgr.; Shuberts).— Gilbert & Sullivan Festival Revival company In "Pinafore." Doing fair business. GLOBE (J. A. Browne, mgr.; Ind.).—Wrest- ling matches and other Intermittent affairs. ILLINOIS (Will J. Davis, mgr. ; K. ft E.).— Kitty Gordon, in "The Enchantress," with more or Iobs success. La Salle Opera House (Harry Askln, mgr.; Ind.).—"The Girl at the Gate" nearlng Its 200th performance, still drawing good crowds. McVICKER'S (George Warren, mgr.; K. 6 E.).—"The Round Up." with Maclyn Arbuckle. Annual trip to Chicago. OLYMPIC (Sam Lederer, mgr.; K. ft B.).~ "Frivolous Oeraldlne" a new show by Joseph E. Howard, opened Sunday night. POWERS (Harry J. Powers, mgr.; K. IB.). —Mme. Slmone In "The Return from Jerusa- lem." Arnold Daly In cast. PRINCESS (Will Singer, mgr.; Wm. A. Brady).—"Bought and Paid For" still doing business. STUDEBAKER (Edward Leonard, mgr.; Ind.).—"The Blindness of Virtue," good play, well played, fair business. WHITNEY (Frank O. Peers, mgr.; Ind.).— Occasional stunts by celebrities. COLLEGE (T. C. Oleason. mgr.; Ind.).— Stock company In standard plays. NATIONAL (John Barrett, mgr.; S. A H.). —Combinations. 23 Winona Winter leaped from Chicago this week to roach San Francisco In time to open next week on the Orpheum Circuit from that point. "Rube" Mnrquard and Blossom Seeley. after playing the Palace engagement was hus- tled to Denver to continue the Orpheum time from that point. Maurice Urowne announces the production of "The Trojan Women." of Euripides, at the Little Theatre. Jan. 0. He will offer the Gilbert Murray translation. But two openings will mark next week In Chicago theatrjcal annals. "The Pink Lady" with the original New York and London cast will arrive at the Colonial and the Irish Play- ers will come to the Fine Arts theatre. "The Mikado" will be revived at the Oarrlck. "Those Three Girls" Is the title of a new Chicago act which has been booked over Asso- ciation time. In the act are Lillian Laurance, Miss Laura Smythe and Donaz Halstead. Frank Clark, now president of his own music publishing company, has Just returned from a several week trip to New York where he has been boosting his own stock of harmony. James B. McKowen, the local agent, will leave for New York directly after the holidays to place some of his attractions with the East- ern agencies as well as to pick up some at- tractions for the western managers which he represents. Sam Baerwitz left here a few days ago for the same purpose. Percy Denton, the man who warbled his way from Distant Frisco to Broadway Is back In Chicago with Louis Mann's company of "Ele- vating a Husband." The piece Is playing at the Chicago Opera House. Denton last appeared here at the Cort with Victor Moore In "Shorty McCabe." Doctor John Message, manager of Jlmmle Walsh, the English pugullst, who Is to meet Johnnie Coulon next month for the bantam- weight championship of the world, Is having a vaudeville sketch written for his protege and will endeavor to place the act around the mid- dle-western circuits where his boy Is a popular attraction. Ned Alvord, the Tabloid King, favorably known as "Scrooge," left Chicago this week for The London Representative of VARIETY Commencing with the new year will be JESSE FREEMAN Formerly VARIETY'S Representative There (W. Buchanan Taylor, who has so well acted for VARIETY in London, has resigned owing to press of his other newspaper work at home). Mr. Freeman will devote his time and attention exclusively to VARIETY. After January 1, VARIETY'S London Address will be 18 Charing Cross Road Miss ADA REEVE New York AddresscareMART1NBECK » Es( i- PUTNAM BUILDING N. Y. IN AIVI I **n#l^in Address, care WILL COLLINS, Esq. LUUUUU 3ROADMEAD HOUSE ■^™"™^~ PANTON STREET LONDON, S. W. Whm answering a4v*rti$em*n t $ hkn4ly mention VARIETY.