Variety (July 1913)

Vol. XXXI. No. 5. NEW YORK CITY, SATURDAY, JULY 5, 1913. PRICE 10 CENTS. TEN ROUTES TURNED BACK FROM H. W. SAV AGE'S OFFICE Klaw & Erianger's Booking Agency Receives Nullification of all Time Laid Out for Savage's Shows. Col. Doesn't Think Well of Conditions. Banks Said to be Tightening up on Show People. Variety's story published a few weeks ago that the big legitimate pro- ducing managers had, up to that time, made no announcements of their next season's plans, and that they were somewhat "up in the air" with regard to future operations, is being borne out. Since then not one has seen fit to con- tract to any extent for further attrac- tions and the "syndicates" are in a more or less demoralized state in their efforts to fill open time. There is jcven some doubt about many of the shows already routed go- ing out. It is understood that last week the Klaw & Erlanger booking of- fice was given a blow when Henry W. Savage returned ten routes which he had tentatively booked for next sea- son. The big producing manager had tours all laid out for "Excuse Me," "Little Boy Blue," an eastern "Every- woman" company and was also to revive "Woodland," as well as making sev- eral new productions. He is reported to have returned the routes with a note stating that owing to conditions in the theatrical world last season, with no brighter outlook for the coming amuse- ment year, was the reason prompting his action. Color is lent to the report by the fact that Sydney Smith, his general booking agent, left Wednesday of this week for a six weeks' vacation. Under normal conditions his presence here would be essential at this time. A similar condition of affairs is said to prevail in the oftices of other produc- ing firms. They are holding back their new shows to await a change in the situation, hoping for the best, but very dubious of the outcome. The two most important banks carry- ing theatrical accounts are reported to have called several special meetings of their respective hoards of directors to discuss conditions in the amusement field, to determine how far they would care to go in the matter of carrying theatrical "paper." That they have de- cided to avoid theatrical risks as far as possible is a reasonable conclusion, from the fact that one theatrical firm which has carried a balance in one of the banks for a number of years of from $5,000 to $25,000, never before sought "accommodations," made a statement that it does not owe a dol- lar for merchandise and, in the face of such a statement, was unable to bor- row $5,000 for 90 days. Charles Frohman sailed from South- ampton on the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse Wednesday. On his arrival here he will issue his annual summer announcement of his plans for the coming season. The official statement of America's foremost legitimate pro- ducer is being awaited with consider- able interest. DIIiIiINGHAM*S ''CANARl/* While Charles B. Dillingham and his bride are honeymooning abroad, his New York representatives are getting the coming season hned up and peo- ple are being signed for the new Dil- lingham production of 'The Red Can- ary." One Mr. Rigby is spending the hot days looking over possible cast and chorus material. The show will be tried on the dog out of town and if it devel- ops the punch will be placed in a Broadway theatre. PRINCESS CAPRICE REHEARSING. Rehearsals for "Princess Caprice," the new Shubert show, were called for this week at the Casino where it is ex- pected to open. Clarence Rogerson is conducting the oreliminary stage work. FREE SHOWS AT MAJESTIC. Chicago, July 2. Mrs. -C. £. Kohl, who has a tight hold on the vaudeville reins of the middle west, but who seldom exercises her power, developed an original idea for her Majestic theatre before sailing for France this week. It was to give two free shows at the house July 4. There is no doubt about the original- ity of the scheme, but whether the plan is practicable or not remains a question. Business, while hardly up to the Majestic standard, is not quite bad enough to necessitate an "Open Door" policy to draw 'em in. The Palace closes July 13 for three weeks. BOOKINGS ARE QUIET. Bookings for next season by the big time vaudeville managers have quieted down. There is very little doing these days in Ihe United Offices. Several managers are away and the others don't trust each other. HITCHCOCK LOSES LOCK. When Raymond Hitchcock returns to Boardway the little guiding strand of hair formerly famous for falling over his temples in the same position daily, will be missed. A barber dis- sected the lock while Mr. Hitchcock was absent minded during 2i hair cut in the northwest. The Hitchcock show will close in Duluth July 19. NEW YORK'S THEATRES. According to the current issue of the Record and Guide there are six theatres under construction in New York, making the total number in Manhattan 117 in all. There are 227 interior picture shows and 38 open air shows. The total number of amusement places coming under the notice of the Bureau of Buildings is 384. DRAMATIZING "THE ACCUSED." B. F. Webb, who collaborated upon several pieces with Archibald Claver- ing Gunther, is making a dramatiza- tion of the novel, "The Accused," by Nina Mills. It will receive a New York premiere early in the fall. LYDIO IN CENTURY. Phillip Lydig, from society, is ap- parently actively interested in the operatic proposition the Aborns will handle next season at the Century. Mr. Lydig is said to be scrutinizing engagements, even going so far at times as to consider attractions for the opera season. From reports about the coterie of wealthy people headed by Mr. Lydig and who are concerned in the Century, were somewhat favorably disposed toward Oscar Hammerstein in the lat- ter's opposition opera battle with the Metropolitan crowd. For some reason the Century folk held aloof from Oscar however, although their sympathy is with him. In the song bird war next season it is not believed there will be involved court proceedings against Hammer- stein for breach of contract with the Met. The agreement made by Oicar conditioning he would not engage in opera again in New York under penalty is said to be rather a weak in- strument to have the courts pass upon, the provisions of it calling for restraint of trade and tending to make a monopoly. This is much the same position Hammerstein, Sr, and Jr. found them- selves in when the Keith-Beck faction of the United Booking Offices started vaudeville in the new Palace, disre- garding Hammerstein's Victoria U. B. O. "franchise." While believing the U. B. O. might set up such a de- fense to its own "franchise" for the purpose of having Keith obtain his ends with the Palace, the Keith-Beck bunch preferred reaching a settlement with the Hammersteins than having any dirty linen washed in the news- papers. This is the point that won the Hammerstein's $225,000 in that con- tested Victoria-Palace "franchise." The Palace Co. agreed to pay the amount for the alleged violation of agreement. Other contracts made by the U. B. O. have not been as well considered when breaches in the past were alleged. DIPPEL AND COMIC OPERA. It is fairly well stated that next sea- son in New York Andreas Dippel will be concerned in comic opera produc- tions.