Variety (September 1913)

VARIETY 13 CRUSADE AGAINST VICE PLAYS FROM FOOLjSH^PRESS WORK" May Cost Shuberts Half Million if ''The Lure*' Goes Off. ''The Fight'* Started Judicial Action. Shows to be Reviewed by Grand Jury. One disadvantage of business com- binations and coalitions is the destroy- ing of individuality. The recent amal- gamations or working alliance of the two big legitimate theatrical syndi- cates, which has already limited its advertising appropriations in Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia, leaving no alternative to their advance agents who visit those cities, will sooner or later come to a realization of this. The above commentary is apropos of the present agitation directed against the two plays presented in New York. "The Lure" at the Elliott and "The Fight" at the Hudson, one presented by each of the "Syndicates." If these pieces are permanently closed by the police it will be due solely to the action of the representa- tive of one of these shows who, in a mistaken idea of what would consti- tute good publicity, is reported to have indited to the police a series of let- ters of protest against the "immoral- ity" of his attraction, signed by various people, fictitious and otherwise. Not counting the cost of the legal expenses attendant upon defending the prosecutions, the Shuberts, if their play is closed, will be set back not less than $500,000 in prospective profits. "The Fight" will be a very big profit loser also. Some years ago a similar error was made by Marcus R. Mayer, then man- ager for Olga Nethersole, appearing at Wallack's in Clyde Fitch's version of "Sapho." Mayer conceived the idea of having police headquarters take cognizance of his attraction and "at- tempting" to stop it on the ground of "indecency." Before he got through his show was closed and he and his star had to stand trial on criminal in- dictments. A midnight performance of "The Lure" was given Monday for news- paper men. by invitation only. It was attended by the working staffs of the big dailies but none of the repular theatrical writers were present. Tues- day night no performance was given of either play and none will be until an official decision is arrived at by the authorities. The Shuberts, who stand sponsors for "The Lure," have entered into an arrangement whereby the character of their piece is to be de- termined by a vote of the September grand jury. If 16 or the 23 jurymen who have been invited to see a private performance of "The Lure." decide that the piece is immoral and indecent the managers promise to take it off not only in New York, but will not send it on tour. Meanwhile the manuscript of "The Fieht" is being carefullv edited with a view of eliminating all obiectionable matter. The piece was produced twice before under other titles and without the scene in the second act which shows the interior of a house of prosti- tution and its inmates. Two years ago Mayor Gay nor, it will be recalled, threatened to revoke the license of the New York theatre if Valeska Suratt's presentation of "The Girl with the Whooping Cough" was not closed instanter. The fever of theatrical managers to out-do each other in the matter of re- pioducing "white slave" scenes on the stage had been assuming huge pro- portions until the recent agitation and prosecution was directed against "The Lure" and "Tlit Fight." The Princess is understood to have had in prospect the production of a sketch entitled "The Girls of Joy"; George Broad- hurst has a play called "Style." adapted from the "Yiddisli," showing the interior of a "call house"; H. H. Frazec. in add'tion to reviving "The Only Law." had in preparation "Birds of Prey," showing the interior of a brothel, and another manager is reported to have signified his intention of presenting a play in which he would reveal the interior of a disorderly house, with the characters of the in- mates played by the genuine article. VF.W PEOPLE AT OARDEN. "The Passing Show of 1913" will have a new consignment of people next Monday, when the "second ver- sion" as it is called, will be shown. Annt Dancrey, who stands very high in her native land. France, will be one of the newcomers. M. Audoin, a tenor, will assist her. Dancrey is a sort of prima donna soubret and ap- pears on this side for the first time. She is due to arrive in New York to- day on the Amerika. Dancrey has been placed with the Shuberts by H. B, Marinellii for eij^ht weeks, at $1,250 weekly. George Whiting and Sadie Burt will be also added to the cast, as reported, while Artie Mehlinger. at first engaged for "The Honeymoon Express" will be shifted to the Garden, where sing- ers of soncs are badly needed. Svdney Grant and Charlotte Green- wood are still negotiating for another entrneement. although they may remain with tlie Garden show. Bessie Clay- ton, who was the hit of the opening performance in her bailet dance on the "Capitol Strps." rloes not aTitx-ar in pain any rerotrnition from the audi- ences now attending the performance, either upon entering or departing from the strife. Other cbnnee<; Iti r«-\vrirfl for work from the first nieht are al- most as marked with others in the performance. The Garden has been doinc a fairly h\<r business at night, but has not been able to draw any matinee crowd with the present company there. STOCK TAYLOR'S CO. GOMPLBTB. The Harry W. Taylor's stock com- pany has been completed and it now comprises the following: Harry Moore, Ethel Hamrick. William Ten- nyson, Goldie Cleveland, B. B. Ver- non. Marie Lumley, Jack McKenna, Lottie Church, Ben Lumley, John Stark and Dell Reich. The company opens at the Maxwell opera house. Saugerties. N. Y. It will carry a 60-foot car of scenery and the repertoire will embrace "In the Bish- op's Carriage," "The Regeneration." "The Tiger and the Lamb," "An Ac- tor's Romance," "The Mysterious Burglar." "Just Struck Out" and "Charlotte Temple. CAN'T MAKE IT PAY. Pittsfield, Mass., Sept. 10. Stock will not pay at the Colonial and the latest attempt to put over a permanent company there comes to an end next week. PITT'S OPENING DE LUXE. Pittsburgh, Sept. 10. Pittsburgh had an opening de luxe Saturday night when the Pitt opened with its new stock company. A crowd pathered from all parts by invitation for the affair had their transportation supplied, also board and lodging while here. The male guests of the manage- ment were put up at the athletic club, while the women were ensconsed in a hotel. REOPENED AT READING. Reading, Pa., Sept. 10. The Calsmith stock company re- opened at the Grand Monday in "The Gamblers." Edward Darney leading juvenile last season, is now playing leading roles, with Lola Halleck as leading woman. Charles Reichart is the scenic painter. THROUGH IN 8CRANTON. Scranton, Pa., Sept. 10. The Poli stock company has closed after playing all summer. A NEWTON STOCK OO. Milwaukee. Sept. 10. Charles Newton, who left the man- agership of the .Saxe to open winter stock in the Shnhert after the Shubert- K. & E. agrecincnt sent all le.^it book- ing's into the Davidson, announces "Wildfire" will ho the opening vehicle. Marion Harney will head the organi- zation, tr) })(• known as the Newton Stock conip.iiiy. May Foster will be ingenue. The leadintr man has not Ix-cn annf>iimr(l. (^LC)SINCi .\T HART'S. rhil.iflclphia, Sept. 10. lay Packard h.is di-cidcd to c\iKi- his stf»ck C(iiiii)any at Hart's S.itnrday ni.u:ht, the venture not proving as snc- ci-ssful as anlicipated. thoiiL,'h the re ■ r('i[)ts tfv)k n cl'nili this week. SUING MORTON FOR SALARY. Action has been commenced in the Supreme Court by Florence Kolb and Adelaide Harland, through Jacob Weiss- berger, attorney, to recover 13,070, al- leging Lewis J. Morton had entered into a contract with them to tour the West Indies for a period of 20 weeks at a salary of 1150. Morton was served with a summons in the action the day he departed with his company for the West Indies. No reason has been given for his failure to take the plaintiffs with him. STOCK'S CHRIS COLUMBUS. Boston, Sept. 10. "Bachelors and Benedicts," a play discovered by John Craig, who is one of the stock world's best little Chris- topher Columbuses. will be presented late this month at his Castle Square theatre. This piece is by James Mont- gomery and was ifirst produced in stock at Pittsburgh. H. H. Frazee failed to put it over as a production. In opening his season at the Castle Square, Craig brought forth Doris Ols- son as leading lady, pending the return of his wife. Mary Young, who is at present playing in "Believe Me, Xan- tippe." Substantially the same company as last season is at the Square. STUCK IT OUT. Newark, N. J., Sept. 10. Despite reports to the contrary the Franklin-Baggot company did not clo>e its operatic stay here at Olym- pic Park until Sunday night. ERIE LEADS. Erie, Pa.. Sept. 10. The Rusk-Bisbec stock opens at the Park Sept. 22 with Kenneth Bisbee and Victoria Montgomery in the lead. MILLS SUCCEEDS WHITE. Haverhill, Mass., Sept. 10. William Mills has been engaged as leading man to succeed Thurlow White with the Orphcum stock company here under the management of Leon C. Mayer. Mills opened Monday. OPENED TO »5»1. The Metropolis in the Bronx, with its new stock company, opened the season Saturday night to $591. STOCK CONTINUES. New Haven. Sept. 10. Stock will be continued in Poli's here. In consequence all immediate vaudeville acts booked for the house have been canceled. RAN 15 WEEKS. Elmira. N. Y., Sept. 10. After 15 weeks, the Rorick Opera Co. closed here Saturday. If >«>ii ilon't ii(l\«Tti» •dirrtlMW at nil. In VAKIKTY. iloii't CJfnrt'f i'liTv will roliirn to fb»» Oot'>nm stork, iVnokiyn, to hnndl • the muM-dy ro os. A DiirrifHT of nf^w poopio ntr h<-lnir Rrldoil f'l fh«' lOhter of the Mnjr Stpwuri Htock com- pany.