Variety (August 1913)

VARIETY 25 Seattle, Aug. 13. Johnny Bryant an aviator, the prin- cipal attraction at the Victoria carnival, was killed last Wednesday afternoon during a flight, in the presence of thou- sands of spectators. Bryant fell 400 feet while attempting to make a land- ing. This was his first season as a professional aviator. He was married two months ago to Alys McKey oi Boise, Idaho, also a flyer. Incident- ally, it was from Bryant's machine that l«\ L. Thayer took his fatal parachuto jump in this city July 19. Among the visitors to the Follies Jiergerc, Paris, during Jack Johnson's appearance there was the dethroned Sultan of Morocco, Abdul Aziz. His majesty thought the show slow, but was much impressed by the brute strength of Johnson. "What a slave he would have made for my court," whispered the ex-Sultan to one of his attendants. The Hammerstein team won from a selected nine at Derby, Conn., 1—0, 10 innings. Jim Bailey pitched for the Harry Mock crew. Chicago. Auu. 13. Plans arc under way for a big ath- letic meet, which will probably be held at the Coliseum later in the sea- son for the benefit of the theatric.il wing of the American hospital. Dr. John G. Message is planning the en- l rtainment and it is probable that some of the biggest stars in sporting circles will take part in the meet. Chicago, Aug. 13. Arthur Pelky and Tommy Burns, who have been playing a few weeks west for Pantages may be seen at "White City," Chicago, shortly. It is claimed at the Pantages office that the lighter who was acquitted after the death of Luther McCarty in the ring, has been a big draw on the coast. White City feels that it needs some- thing of this sort to boost things along. Two weeks, for which the fighting pair are asking $1,500 a week and three fares from the coast and return, is hold ing up the deal at present. Spokane, Aug. 13. The second game of ball between acts playing the Orpheum and Pan- tages and Empress was played Aug. 6. The Orpheum performers upheld the record set by their predecessors by winning. 14-10. Winchester CRedford and Winchester) made a home run for the Orpheums before it was discovered has was a fomer teammate of Frank Chance. The O'Brien Press had its field day Aug. 9, at Grant City, Staten Island. The big event was the O'Brien boys taking a double defeat playing base- ball, the Varietys cleaning them up 19-6. Other than that the printers had one good and long time. Lawrence Johnson, the ventriloquist, summering at Peace Valley, Idaho, brought home a silver tipped grizzly and a big black bear as the result of one day's hunt with a .22 calibre rifle. The fact that a bear was brought to earth with such a small calibered weapon, little beyond a pop gun where bears are concerned, is something unusual, yet as proof, Johnson is bring- ing east the hide. EPIGRAMS. By EDWARD ABBOTT. When in doubt, build a theatre. Don't be discouraged. The "star" at one time was only a "noise off stage." Good "reel" actors are not always real good actors. Many a chorus girl has jumped into prominence by jumping into symmetri- cals. The actor always singing his own praises seldom gets a curtain call. A good many actors who have tried to "hog" the center of the stage say the place is strewn with banana peel- ings. It takes more than two pairs of lifts in your shoes to rise in the profession. "Razor Jim" never knew that some day it would reach the dignified title of "tabloid." CORRESPONDENCE UnlcM otherwise noted, the following report* arc for the current week. "■"^HF"" CHICAGO In Charge """"■"■*—■»■———«-»—• VARIETY'S CHICAGO OFFICII MAJESTIC TBEATRL BUILDING MAJESTIC (Lyman B. Glover, mf r.; agent, Orpheum Circuit).—Joe Welch had the place of honor on the bill thla week In this house and he won the laughing hit of the bill. He has a lot of new material, which he puts over without once missing the mark, and he was received with much enthusiasm Monday af- ternoon. Welch has a style all his own, and he Is growing better with the years. He Is not offensive In his Hebrew caricaturing, al- though he has some excruciatingly funny linen which he puts over deftly. Near the end of the bill, Marie McFarland, an opera singer, offered some good songs, assisted by another singer billed as "Madame." They were heard before at the Palace Music Hall. Genaro and Bailey were well received near the end of the program. They have some smart stuff which they deliver easily and gracefully. Hal Davis and Inez Macauley, "The Girl from Child's," play briskly. Armstrong and Clark on at "D," offered some new songs that went well. They have style and they know how to put their songs over. The Jack Wil- son Trio next to last did not go over us well as usual. Much new stuff has been added, some political, and not pleasing at all times. Some Jingo stuff might well be elim- inated without doing any harm to the act. Sydney Jarvls and Virginia Dare second after the Pathe pictures and were well received. They work hard all the time, with the result that they are rewarded with much applause. Mentambo and Wells started the show off with acrobatics. Equlll Brothers were last, In balancing. The house was large Monday wfternoon. The bill did not offer anything of exceptional merit, but the entertainment was fairly good. REED. MeVICKER'S (J. O. Burch, mgr.; agents. T.. T,. & S.).—The bill for the week In this, the latest "loop" house, to come Into the hands of Jones, TJnlck A Schaefer, was not remarkable, but did hold much that seemed to please the audience gathered for the first show Monday night. Plenty of comedy and high class comedy, for the most part. Robert Hall, who has been meeting with unusunl success, had the place that should have been given to Gene Greene. A card announced that owing to the change In date of sailing, Mr. Greene was unable to appear, ho Mr. Hall filled In, and he was quite successful. This young singer has an Ingratiating personality, and a voice and manner that make his aet pleasing to the public. The Marco Twins, grotesque as usual, had a good spot and elicited roars of laughter. Flo Adler and three boys passed easily. Rome new songs, with some surprising features Introduced here and there, put the act over nicely. Hermann. who 1b billed as the nephew of the Great Herrmann, has some mystifying trick-, and his act has elements of newness. Davis and Scott entertain in a style that Is unusual. Mareena and the Delton Brothers have some excellent acrobatics which they put over handily. They Inject some fun Into their act from time to time and this helps to make their stay on the stage entertaining and full of Interest. The pictures offered went of the melodramatic sort for the most part, but were not luridly so. The house was not full for the first show on Monday night, although the lower floor was entirely occupied. The bal- cony and gallery audience was light. REED. COLONIAL (Geo. Harrison, mgr.; agent, J., L. A 8.).—A break In the weather gave the Colonial a ripping start on the week, after a Sunday which topped the season's single day's receipts. Lalla Selblnl Is the attraction that catches all the billing and featuring. The act should do business In a pop house regard- less of the weather conditions, for It has every requirement for a feature turn. It Is big, has merit, novelty and will cause talk. The first half of the week only three acts were worked with the Selblnl production, but in the last half In order that the work should not bo too much for the ambitious miss, another turn will he added to the program. At the first show Monday, as was natural, the act did not work as moothly as It should have, but still It held the house, which was comfortably filled at 1 o'clock and gained large returns. Opening with singing by the entire troupe, Miss Selblnl followed with her bicycle offering. The Chinese bit with the Teddy bear followed In "one" and the burlesque band, which gained big rewards, came next. The act closed with "The Lion's Bride." The burlesque band probably got the most for the act. Miss Sel- blnl works this capitally. She looks bully at the opening in the Scotch outfit and handles herself In a dainty, graceful fashion In the pretty kilties. The comedy of Cretore also eame In for the good things and the fire finish, not worked as well ns It will be when the crew gets to handle the effects properly, finished It off big. Garry Owen and Co. In songs and talk opened the per- formance. Little Garry Is a pretty big Oarry now. The boy has grown very tall, but he h t111 retains his personality and Is able to handle songs much better than he does talk. Garry should he given a good routine of songs with a little dialog mixed In. The company Is a little woman who sings with him and does a number at the piano. Harry Holman and Co. did nicely with a comedy sketch that I NO III BROWNING Headlining N Gome in and look this act over! VIVACITY OIRL) at the New York Theatre (Full week) 44 Seeing is Believing ' The Great Lalla Selbini (ONLY SUCCESSOR TO THE GREAT LAFAYETTE) With her own company of 25 opened with tremendous success at the Colonial, Chicago, this week BREAKING RECORDS EVERY PERFORMANCE. Personal Direction, MISS SELBINI