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8 VARIETY OPPOSITION BURLESQUE WHEEL OATHERINO STRO NG HEADWAY Many Applications in For Franchises. Theatre Owners Will be Favored with Them. 26 Houses Claimed, With Choices From a List of 80. Rumored L. Lawrence Weber Will be Asked to Take Executive Charge of Circuit. New House in Chicago Obtained. The opposition burlesque wh»el as the Progressive Circuit is the more of- ten referred to appears to be gather- ing strong headway from stories float- ing about. Considerable talk was created this week by a rumor that L. Lawrence Weber and Edward F. Rush would re- sume their former partnership and take an active interest in the new wheel. In- vestigation proved there was nothing in this story, although Mr. Rush is said to have called on the Progressive peo- ple, offering to join with Weber again if a favorable proposition from the Progressive people were given them. The day before Messrs. Weber and Rush had had lunch at Rector's. This was quickly noted and Rush's prom- ise to deliver found some belief in the burlesque headquarters, but he failed to produce either himself or Weber the following day as per an appointment. It is understood Rush also offered to take the New York Roof under lease from William Morris and put that in the Wheel as a stand, if the Progres- sives Wanted it, with four other thea- tres Rush said he could gather in. This proposal ran with the Weber & Rush offer, nothing coming of either. It is said that the Progressives are very anxious to have Mr. Weber as- sume the executive management of the Progressive Circuit for the season's opening and during it. Weber has not been announced as expressing himself on the subject. This week the Progressive Circuit closed for the new theatre opposite the Empress at Halsted and 63d Sts., Chicago. In New York the Circuit will play the Dewey and Gotham. In Si. Louis the Progressive house will be the Gayety, which has been playing the Eastern Wheel attractions. Wednesday the Progressive Circuit issued its first certificates of stock, 40 applications are said to be in the head- quarters with checks accompanying them, each application also asking for a franchise. The Progressive franchise will go to the theatre owners, with the charter members oi the Progressive receiving the preference in producing shows for the Wheel. Outside produc- ers will have their chance when a the- atre owner declines to produce. This condition according to report has lost the Progressive some producers who thought they would be in on the ground floor, with a franchise without charge. Twenty-six houses are claimed by the Progressive Circuit and more will be taken •n, it is said. The selections were made from a list of 80 theatres offered, according to Variety's infor- mant. A story Wednesday that the Shuberts were about to turn over a number of theatres to the Progressive people could not be confirmed. EXTUA MAX FOR CKEW. The burlesque managers are undeci- ded how to express themselves over the latest order of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employes which affects their bank rolls. The Alliance through its president, Charles C. Shay, has said that any burlesque company carrying over 25 pieces of baggage must have an assist- ant property man at 125 weekly. This increases the cost of the working crew with each show to $150. The Columbia Amusement Co. was represented at the recent meeting of all the managers on the stage union subject. Nothing tangible has yet made its appearance from those confer- ences. COLUMBIANS GEN*L PRESS DEFT. The Columbia Amusement Co. is considering the inauguration of a gen- eral press department as part of the organization, which would eventually do away with the advance agent. Several of the Wheel managers have announced their intentions of going around the circuit next season without the man ahead, claiming the expense is unnecessary to any show that has acquired a following. Those in opposition to the plan claim the expense for maintaining such a department would be greater than that required by the present system. NEW PICTURE PLACES. Movies are springing up like mush- rooms througiiout the country. Of the eastern cities that have the pic- ture craze Philadelphia undoubtedly takes first rank. In addition to the numerous picture houses in Quaker- town building contracts for many more in that city have been awarded to divers contractors. On the Philly prospective movie list are: a $10,000 theatre, German- town avenue and Tulpohocken street, Bader & Simpson, Wilmington, Del., contractors; another $10,000 house, 50x125 feet at the northeast corner of 25th and Cambria streets, William Sachsmain, Philly, builder; an 80x80 foot movie, seating 1,400, R. C. Loos, Philly, architect; a one-story brick the- atre, 75x109 feet, on Fifty-second street, costing $40,000, West End Realty Trust Co., builder; a $12,000 theatre, southeast corner Twenty- sixth and Somerset streets, 53x100 feet, Somerset Amusement Co., owners; a $10,000 house, 40x90 feet, Sixth and Poplar streets, Steifel Amusement Co., owner; a 50x100 foot movie at 2029-31- 33 South Third street, H. Berman, now taking bids. The old First German Baptist Church, Philadelphia, is to be turned into a picture theatre (903-5-7 North Sixth street). Another Philly man, Charles Kaplan, will build a movie, 36x153 feet, costing $14,000, at 1426-28 South Fourth street, while still an- other Quakertown movie is to be built on the York Road below Lycoming street. At Manayunk, Pa., the old Liberty Hotel, Main street, has been purchased by a syndicate headed by James J. Sftjringer, secretary-treasurer of the Plaza Theatre Co., which will build a new movie, seating 2,500, thereon this summer. The total cost, site and all, will be $175,000. A new $50,000 picture house, 46x150 ,■ feet, will be erected by Frank Ruffu, on Arkansas avenue, Atlantic City. BARNEY GERARD^S SHOW. Barney Gerard's "Follies of the Day" (Jack McNamara, manager), has its opening date set for White Plains, N. Y. The regular start will be made at the Casino, Boston, Aug. 11. In the Gerard show will be Ger- trude Hayes, Mildred Stoller, Joe Bar- ton, Dan Manning, Charles Wilkens, Fred. Harten, the Five Alarcons, Harry LeVan, Hal Pierson, Elmer Doffer, Edward Brennan, Four Harmonists and the Dancing Bricktops. The stage crew will consist of Mort Fox, carpenter; W. W. Woodring, props, and Charles Zerber, electrician. GORDON & NORTH*S ONE TROUPE. "The Girls of the Gay White Way " will be the only burlesque show on the Columbia Circuit next season under the direction of the Gordon & North Co. Harry (Dutch) Ward, Sam Hearn, Helen Ely, Eddie Jerome, Dan Healy, Kstelle Barry and Eddie Nelson have been engaged. Dave Gordon will manage the show, with Louis Epstein ahead. CORBETT PICTURE POSING. James J. Corbctt was engaged Tues- day by the Mittenthal Brothers to pose before the camera in a 3,000 feet photoplay which the newly formed Mittenthal Picture Company will turn loose as a movie feature. Corbett's former vaudeville sketch will he used as the nucleus for the picture scenario. Work of photoplaying starts next week at the Pilot studio which the Mittenthals have rented until they build one of their own. Joe Welch has been po.sing for the Mittenthals in a special picture (3,000 feet) which will he finished tomorrow and turned loose on the market some time later. The first picture made by the Mit- tenthals styled "Wanted by the Po- lice," with William Jefferson (Joe Jef- ferson's son) as the principal player, will be given to exhibitors next week. H. ft 8/ UPTOWN NEAR READY. The new Hurtig & Seamon 125th street theatre for the Wheel burlesque shows next season will duly open with the official date for the circuit to com- mence. It replaces the HurMg & Sea- mon Music Hall, nearly adjacent, on the same block. L. A. PICTUBB GOSSIP. Lob Angelei, June 11. THE WEEK'S WEATHBR. Thursday—Fair Monday—Cloudy and rain Friday—Fair Tueaday—Cloudy Saturday—Cloudy Wednesday-Partly cloudy Average Temperature—53" Very little worli has been accomplished la the past week owing to this almost unheard of weather condition. Much apprehension is felt by some of the natives as this Is typical "earthquake weather " and a few tremors have been reported a lltt.e to the north of us. it has certainly bten a bad season for the picture industry. The big topic of discussion this week has been the suspension of operation at the Klne- macolor studio for the time being. The com- pany will resume work here about Aug. 15, according to present plans. Mr. Ogle came here a week ago and has returned to New York by way of San Francisco. The people are l>elng sent back •• fast as resenrations can be secured. David Miles, Charles Flem- ing, Mr. Denslnger, Lee Dougherty ("Doc") and Jack Brammall, with others left last week. The best part of the company will b% used In the studio at Whltestone, Long Isiand. Mr. Dougherty. I understand, will carry on the work of his department in the New York offices. Some members of the organisation have decided to take a vacation and remain here until the studio re-opens, while a few have already made other connections. Mr. Hutchinson (of Flying A) was In town from Santa Barbara this week looking for people for his branch of Universal. Allan Dwan has settled down to work with Universal as It he was always one of them. The news of A. M. Kennedy's retirement from the Universal forces was a big surprise. He has connected with another Arm. I visited the Selig studio and was taken around by Mr. Nash. Many changes have taken place. Additional buildings have been built and a fine new stage set up. My at- tention was drawn to the reconstruction of the latwratories, a feature of which Is a commodious projecting room. Many beautiful sets were shown me—a Turkish room, a Spanish room, and early English, a Louis set and much besides of Interest TUson and Errol appear to be quite hapoy as members of the big Selig family. Stella Rosetti (formerly Kay Bee and Klnemacolor) has Joined the Selig company. Edwin August, late of Vltagraph, is pro- ducing a feature film for Universal, in which he plays the leading role, supported by Mary Charleson, also late of Vltagraph (Mr. August changed his mind alwut going east.) Christie Miller tells me Biograph is to leave here at the end of this month. TTTrector Griffith Is busy on the big pictorial drama which Is to be the finale of Biograph's season here. For this production Mr. Orifflth has had to call on almost the entire company. Even Charlie Murray, far from fit, has been cast. The two leading characters will, of course, be in the hands of Henry Walthall and Blanche Sweet. W. H. Swanson, vice-president of Univer- sal, is expected here. Grace Lewis Is so fond of California she is not going back east with Biograph. Several of us have had cards from Rome recently, kindly sent by Jim Slevln. As for me. many thinks. LADT BUG- POWER'S ELEPHANT ACTORS. Power's Elephants have become a power in the movies. The pachyderm performers, at the conclusion of their Palisades Park engagement will start posing before the camera, W. VV. Power having signed a contract with the Imp Co. The first will be a jungle picture with the elephants the main participants. Power had many offers from movie makers to place the animals in scena- rios written around them. PLAYING WITH RELIANCE. Crane Wilbur, long identified with the leading roles in the Pathe (Ameri- can) pictures, has signed with the Re- liynce Co. and will be seen in new sub- jects with the new Reliance leading woman, Rosemary Theby. Miss Theby was formerly with the Vitagraph Co. Fritzi Brunette is another new acqui- sition of the Reliance Co. Her first work will be in "Annie Laurie," to be releas"'! Tune 11.