Variety (January 1913)

Vol. XXIX. No. 5. NEW YORK CITY, FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 1913. PRICE 10 CENTS SUMMERTIME AWAITED TO CLEAN U P THEA TRICAL MESS Overcrowded Theatrical Condition Expected to Undergo Weeding Out Process Starting Around Decoration Day. Many Theatres Just Breaking Even at Present The theatrical panic David Helasco predicted while visiting Chicago re- cently, and which whirlwinded aver the country as a statement based on a thorough understanding of the condi- tions in the show business, will about strike the latter end of this season, according to the show men who watch things. The over-supply of theatres will commence to get into their real weed- ing out process around Decoration Day, it is claimed. There are many houses now in all branches of theatri- cals that are barely "breaking even," with the season midway toward its fin- ish. The "break even" result is main- ly reached through the Saturday nd Sunday patronage, always heavy in the larger cities. While there is a discouraged feeling prevailing among theatre managers, they have not yet reached the point where they feel inclined to place a reasonable rental upon the properties they are interested in. Many of the newer houses have "outside people" in control. They arc hanging on in the hope business will pick up. Invest- ments were made in theatres by the outsiders on the statements heard by them from others who had gone in the show business on investment and spec- ulation before the late coiners messed up the field with one theatre for every two inhabitants. With the warm weather arriving and the consequent dropping off of patron age, while the rental remains at the same monthly figure, it is believed along Rroadway that theatres will be a drug on the market. Many are the "manager." it is said. \vln» will be watching their houses from the outside before July, through failure to pay tin- rent that would permit them to remain on the inside. The theatrical people who have been looking for houses, mostly to play vau- deville in, are now biding their time for that slump they feel most certain will arrive with the late spring. Of- fers to lease are still met with exor- bitant figures, especially in the smaller towns where the present managers think nothing of asking $15,000 to $20,- 000 yearly for a house that would be a sane undertaking at from $4,500 to $8,000. Among the larger managers and pro- ducers in the legitimate it is often re- marked the panic has arrived, with many just about breasting thror .. in the current times. The legit is waiting to see the turn things theatrical will take with the new year. The New York theatre managers are now concerned in the impending general strike of union employes. WILSON AND ELLIS SEPARATE. Al. H. Wilson and his manager, Syd- ney R. Kllis, after many seasons of business connections, have come to the parting of ways. The Wilson company, playing one of "Metz of the Alps" series, closed down on the road last week. Kllis had Wilson under a long con tract, but hereafter the "sweet singer" is at liberty to do his own managerial picking. TWINS T<) MIU4. HARRIS. Mrs. William Harris. Jr.. gave birth to twins last week—boys. It was de cided to name them respectively Wil- liam Harris, 111 . and Henry IV liar ris One lived only a few hours, and H IV Harris was ictained for the sm- vivor. DECIDING PALACE POLICY. It is reported the policy of the new Palace will be decided upon next week, at a meeting to be held in New York for that purpose by those interested. The house will not be rented, accord- ing to a statement made, although the legit managers claim that at the price it would be necessary to ask for the house no one could afford to assume it. Two lines of entertainment are to be deliberated over, according to the story. What they are have not been divulged, but rumor gives them as a sort of "revue" production on Con- tinental lines, a Martin Beck idea, or the original scheme of Mr. Beck's for the theatre—vaudeville of an elabor- ate nature at high prices. Besides Beck, Herman Kehr and Mort Singer, B. F. Keith has a heavy investment in the property and will have something to say about the pol- icy. LEDEREK TAKES JOSE COLLINS. George W. Kcderer has engaged Jose Collins for the leading feminine role in his production of 'The Seventh Chord." Negotiations are on for the contracting of three other people, which will, when disclosed, be in the nature of surprises. Rehearsals will be begun immedi- ately and the short-cast piece pre- sented in New York within four weeks. Miss Collins is not at present with '"The Merrv Countess." NEWSPAPERMEN PLAY CENSOR. Toronto, Jan. 2. At a salary of $1. .?()() a year, William Hanks. Sr.. a Toronto newspaperman, has been appoitned local play censor by the police commissioners. RAGTIME CIRLS SAILING. The Kight Ragtime (iirls with Ralpli Levy are t.> sail for the other -i.ic. 'ipeninu at the Moss F.nipire, New.-as lie. lln> nii'iuli The act was 1 »• •■ »ki-«I through the Mai'inelli New York agency. I'll t L.ul. who is vov , am: ,, a: with ians and cabarets, w •]) \ iw mi h\oi tuarv lor Rariv thete handle Ariel ican ragtime •■•n .•<■ ■ se\ ei \] 1 ■ ur • • pc.in cabarets DRIVEN OUT OF THEATRE. The chorus girls of "Broadway to Paris" are now driven out of the Win- ter Garden between shows on matinee days. Ira F. Cass, manager of the Garden, made no objection to the young women using their dressing rooms as lounging places between the afternoon and night performances until he discovered through a survey of the theatre that the choristers were litter- ing the rooms with pieces of food, empty bottles and in some rooms broken bottles. The manager immediately posted a notice on the call-board informing the girls that after each show they must vacate the theatre. While the ruling exceedingly annoyed the ladies of the chorus, it is quite likely the next priv- ilege extended to them by the manage- ment will not be abused. INTERROOKING ONLY. While the Loew and Fox Circuits are quite closely interbooking acts, there will be no juncture of the respec- tive booking agencies, it is said. A report that the Fox houses might go into the Sullivan-Considine-Locw age.icy, with Ed F. Kealey continuing to represent William Fox on the book- ing end, has received a general denial from all concerned within the past week. The closeness of the business rela- tions between the two circuits, how- ever, often takes an act from Loew houses one week into Fox theatres for the next week, and vice versa. SHEET M! SIC'S LOWEST DROP. Popular sheet music reached its low c-t selling pi ' ■■<■ '.it ueik. w lull a New York departim-nt ^t"re advertised many of the current musical hits at ■ ■tie cent per ' > >p> CALL PROM AISTRALIV \n \inericau a^ent this week re .e:.c'! .'. cab'* ' ill '''.'in Wirth's ( "ir >i;s. playing m Xiis-talia. f■» t twn acts t < stren^t'ie' ' ; ic ;'ie-c:it sh«>w Wir'h is mi L: ~: > I t ' have met wi'h uniisiia' ","■ ■sifi.iii in the anti- | >i >,l e s ! 'i i s \ e,i n e : e l an Amer , ,i an , i' :o\ a. - a • •' i \ ■ m r. a^aiiT-t ! m nal in e at f n n i - il as t In- Wild West s'> >\s w • • i-Yd s(\fi, ( ! weeks »N I , f t , t J | S ' »•!,.■