Variety (January 1913)

VARIETY NEW YEAR'S EVE CHEAP CROWD LEAVES SP ECULAT ORS "STUCK" Theatres Have Big Sale at $3 Scale for Special Night, but Tyson Reported With Blocks of Seats Unsold. Restaurants Do But Fairly New York had its largest crowd out Tuesday night to celebrate the incom- ing new year, but the people looking for amusement were referred to as "cheap" by the theatre managers and restaurant managers. The legitimate houses along Broad- way had a big sale of their New Year Eve's special $3 coupons. The ticket agencies in town purchased the great- er portion of them. The Tyson hotel stands are reported to have been badly "stuck," with the McBride agencies just getting through with their stock. The perfect night may have kept many from the theatres, although the high rate might have had something to do with it. The Tyson Company is reported as losing about $21,000 on its New Year's plunge, getting hold of about $80,000 worth of tickets. Something like $150 in cables to Lloyd's for insurance failed to accomplish anything. There was an increase of admission prices at nearly all theatres. Hammer- stein's charged $2 in the orchestra and $2.50 in the boxes, playing to over $2,000 on the night show, though the house filled slowly. William Fox's Riverside, a pop vaudeville theatre at Broadway and 96th street, where the usual scale is 10-15-25, charged one dollar for an orchestra seat. Several vaudeville theatres gave two shows, the second carrying beyond midnight. At the Alhambra an additional per- formance by the bill downstairs was given on the roof. A light audience assembled to witness it. Weber & Fields Music Hall held over $4,000 at the advanced prices. The restaurants as a rule had capac- ity with many extra tables set around wherever a place could be found. There were few free spenders as in former years, however. The hotels and restau- rants exacted a deposit of a certain sum per seat before the tables were re- served. These prices varied at differ- ent places from $3 to $15 a chair. The amount charged settled for the food. All liquids were an additional charge. At Shanley's 700 seats were sold in ad- vance. The restaurant had $4,900 in the till before the crowd arrived. It is estimated Shanley's had a $9,000 night. The men who profit by the New Year's Eve gayety were of the opinion a poor year ending Tuesday night had considerable to do with bringing out the "cheap crowd." San Francisco, Jan. 2. New Year's eve conditions in the "f a rants and cafes which are sup- I v . to be peculiar to New York, r duplicated in San Francisco this yt At the Portola and Louvre New v « i r ' j eve reservations were practic- al -old out more than a week ago. i i • rowd which greeted 1913 on the f ' i : Coast filled every cafe of prom- '. ic ; in the city. Chicago, Jan. 2. Theatrical people playing in town added much to the enjoyment of the New Year festivities in town Tues- day night and Wednesday. There were extra midnight performances at the Majestic and the Palace and extra matinees were given at the La Salle, and the Princess. Members of the company playing "The Enchantress" at the Illinois staged some special stunts on a large platform erected in the lobby of the Hotel La Salle Tues- day night and quartets and singers from the various vaudeville houses were heard in numerous cafes and ho- tels. Cabaret performances were un- usually prolonged in all the cafes. At the Whitney, special society vaude- ville was offered to good houses Tuesday and Wednesday nights. $1,000 FOR "MILE A MINUTE." Vaudeville has lost the sketch called "A Mile a Minute," produced by How- ard Thurston and Langdon McCor- mick. It was tried out at Union Hill. While the vaudeville managers were making up their minds about the piece and price, the Shuberts stepped in with play or pay contract for 20 weeks. No one knows what the legitimate producing managers intend doing with the sketch. NEW AND OLD POLI MANAGERS. New Haven, Jan. 2. The shifts of Poli managers have been frequent the past week. They commenced with the resignation of Ed Shields from the Bijou here. Mr. Shields left for New York. His place was taken by M. Vanni, a young nephew of S. Z. Poli. Matt Saunders has been transferred from Wilkesbarre to Poli's, this city. J. H. Docking, the Poli manager at Scranton, will take charge of both Pennsylvania houses for awhile. S. J. Breen is at the new Poli's, Bridgeport. He was formerly at Springfield. W. I. Dillencek, former- ly at the Nelson, Springfield (before William Fox took possession of that theatre). ' has been assigned to the old Poli's (renamed Plaza), Bridge- port. WALTER HILL IN PHILLY. Philadelphia, Jan. 2. The Philadelphia affiliation of the United Booking Offices, which is the (liarles J. Kraus Agency, added to its staff today Walter K. Hill. Mr. Hill conies over here from the main of- fice in New York. "ROSEY" WISING UP. A wising up trip has been proposed by II. B. Marinelli for Maurice Rose, one of the workers in the New York branch of the Marnelli agency. Pursuant to cabled instructions from the head of the agency at Paris, "Rosey" may sail from New York Jan. 21 on the Lusitania, spending four or five weeks abroad, becoming familiar with foreign conditions and booking some of the talent on the other side for American use. Mr. Rose has purchased a new pair of glasses, is studying baccarat, and sewing all his spare dimes into the lin- ing of his coat. The New York branch of the agency which Leo Maase presides over, seems very prosperous these days. Dorothy Burman, one of the stenogs, spent the past week at Lakewood. AGENTS SAILINGS. May will see New York rent asun- der in its vaudeville agency ranks. Max Hart has booked passage on the new Imperator sailing May 17, and will stay on the other side until Au- gust, looking to Ernie Edelsten over there to show him a few things (in- cluding acts). Paul Durand is also going to snake the States for some weeks, while Murray Feil (Morris & Feil) wants to see Europe at the firm's expense Sailings as reported through Paul Tausig & Son, of East 14th street, are: Dec, 29, Charles Wayne (Majestic); Jan. 6, Willa Holt Wakefield (Ocean- ic). Dec. 31, Ralph Levey and Ragtime Eight (Campania); Jan. 4, John and Mae Burke (Celtic). TORONTO'S NEW VODE HOUSE. Toronto, Jan. 2. The report that Toronto was to have another new theatre was confirmed this week when announcement was made the Miles Co. of New York in conjunction with Lawrence Solman, manager of the Royal Alexandra and of the Arena Gardens, will build on the site now occupied by the Ontario Vet- erinary College. It will be a vaudeville house and work is to start next July. The esti- mated cost, $250,000. BARRY IN "AFTER THE RACE." Bobby Barry has decided for sure this time to go into vaudeville. He will appear in a sketch named "After the Race," with Christine Cadiz for support. HARTS GOING TO S. A. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Jan. 2. The Marinelli agency has placed Marie and Billy Hart to open in South Africa. They sail from here Ian. 11 and will remain away until May. E. Wolheim will return to London, mailing Jan. IS. He is about recovered from his recent illness. "DINKELSPIEL** IN THREE ACTS. Jos. Hart will take an extended ver- sion of "Dinkclspiel" t<> l-'.njjand dur- ing the spring. (ie<f!Le V Hobart is writing the vaudeville ^ketcli into an "atmosphere" play for the invasion MORE GOING AHKOAD. Philadelphia, Jan. 2. Norman JelTeries has booked through Max Hart, the Six Texas Tommy Dan- cers to open in London Feb. 3, and Bud and Nellie Heim Trio to open at Birmingham, Eng., Aug. 18. Jefferies is negotiating for the plac- ing of Baby Helen on the other side after she finishes her present season here. The rush of American acts for Eu- ropean bookings continues. Charles Wayne sails in a few days on the Majestic, opening at New Cross early in February. Will Lacy departs for England on the Baltic, March 26, and the Four Messenger Boys leave about the same time. These acts were booked abroad by B. A. Myers. MIGONE RUSHING NEW HOUSE. Philadelphia, Jan. 2. Contrary to reports, Hopkins, Gar- diner & Milgram, who built and are operating the Alhambra, a "pop" vau- deville house in this city, will rush the work of completing the new Broadway on South Broad street. Frank Migonc, who has made the Al- hambra a big success, will be manager of the new house and a new man- ager will probably be appointed for the Alhambra, which will be continued as a vaudeville house running a cheaper grade of shows. NO FAMILY DEPT. CHANGES. A report that there would be short- ly a few changes made in the book- ing staff of the United Offices Family Department was denied this week, when it was said the changes as ru- mored had never been even contemp- lated. NEW KIND OF SHOW. Negotiations that have been on for a Broadway house are nearly com- pleted, and will mean the entrance on the Main Thoroughfare of a new kind of popular price entertainment. MISS PARKER AT VICTORIA. Renee Parker, who will not be angry if you call "her "The Queen of the Caba- rets," will appear at Hammerstein's, Jan. 20, assisted by a pianist. Feb. 7 Miss Parker sails for Lon- don, to open in the Alhambra revue Feb. 17. Both bookings were made by Leo Maase of the Marinelli agency. WESTERN HOUSE ASSURED. It is now an assured fact the Western Burlesque Wheel is to have a new Empire theatre in Pittsburgh next season. The Empire Circuit has appointed H. Clay Miner, (ieorge W. Rife and John Fennessey as a committee on building siie. PICTURE WOMAN IN SKETCH. Marion Leonard, for many seasons a leading woman in the pictures, is to make her debut in vaudeville in Lionel E. Lawrence's new act, "The Strange Witness." Miss Leonard, now with the Monopol Film Co.. in Los Angeles, is expected shortly in New York for rehearsals. In her support will be Herbert Mayll.