Variety (September 1913)

12 VARIETY WITH THE PRESS AGENTS The press agent of the D. F. Keith New York theatres hasn't been putting over the proper work for his bossei, according to a •tory around. The press agent Is Walter KIngsley Last week when E. P. Albee, his nearest boss, gave him a statement signed by Percy O. Williams, Albee expected to see It spread all over the front pages of the dallies toe next morning. But nary a spread. Almost without exception the papers threw the state- ment In the waste basket. The exception printed an excerpt, which said nothing, and a quasl-organ of the U. B. O. gave the text of the statement In full, but Albee wanted more. With the poor publicity showing made by the local Keith houses for the opening of the season, Albee Is said to have gone gunning for KIngsley. after the Williams' statement In- cident Albee Is a great believer In run- ning papers through advertising and can't understand how any dally could disregard bit preM stuff, when the Keith advertising patronage Is given to the sheet. It never •truck Alt>ee that as long as Williams did not ■Ign the statement he prepared for him, the pai>ers might have considered Williams' own statement of no more value than probably Williams himself did, the latter having writ- ten It, and Albee knows what a fox Williams Is. If he doesn't he should, after having given Williams |5.000,000 for what has turned out to be the greatest lemon ever sold In •bow business, although Albee made a lemon of It However, that doesn't help KIngsley any. and why doesn't he put It over Is still the reigning query In the U. B. O. It's pretty low appreciation for a young man who broke his neck to do the U. B. O.'s dirty work, when called upon, and the dirty work didn't come under the head of publicity. The next time KIngsley lands a Job he will probably attend strictly to his own business holding It down. If O'eorge Mooser has time this week he will give a spaghetti dinner to all the John Cort stars In the road shows about leaving New York, at one of the big hotels here. A flash- light picture will be taken and used for press work. If the dinner comes off. The Princess has selected three one-act plays for Its opening bill Sept. 20. They are "The Eternal Mystery," by Oeorge Jean Nathan; "The Black Mask," by P. Tennyson Jesse and H. M. Harwood; "The Bride," by William Hurlburt. The players to appear at the Princess this season are Holbrook Bllnn, Edward Bills, William J. O'Neill, Vaughan Trevor, Wlllette Kershaw, Emelle Pollnl. H. H. Frazee has signed Josephine Whittell for a part In "The Madcap Duchess," the new Victor Herbert comic opera. Marie O'Neill and W. P. Fay. members of the Irish Players, have been engaged by the Llebler Co. for parts In "General John Regan." Anna Pavlowa and her company wll open at the Metropolitan, New York, Nov. 3. B. W. KIncaid Is doing the advance work for the "Butterfly on the Wheel" now playing southern dates. A. P. Haywood Is managing the show. Al. T. Holsteln Is ahead of the Eleanor Montell "Butterfly" show, with Oeorge P. Hopper managing. Carl Zoellner Is managing "What Happened to Mary?" that's filling one-night dates In the middle states, with Julia Arden In the Mary role. All these are under Sydney R. Ellis' direction. William Sterrltt Is at the Star, Buffalo. John Cort spoiled what promised to be one of the best press stunts pulled off In New York for many a day. Miss Held came over with her own press representative, an Englishman evidently possessed of some Ingenuity. Imme- diately on arrival he busied himself In vari- ous ways and no sooner had the new Cort star rid herself of her sea legs than the press man arranged for her to sit alongside one of the magistrates In the night court while he passed Judgment on women of the street. Everything was rehearsed for Mlns Held to weep copiously In sympathy with the unfortunate women and to pay a number of fines. On the day of the night the stunt was to be pulled, Cort heard of it at the rehearsal of the new piece In which Miss Held is to appear and in whiqif she was woefully behind In the matter of com- mitting her lines to memory. The manager promptly insisted that until such time an Miss Held was letter perfect that she give the memorizing her entire time. The Irving Place theatre will reopen Sept. 25 with Rudolph Christians as the manager. The first attraction will be "Die Spanish Fliege." ¥Ten| Teal will stage H. II. Frnzee's pro- duction of "lole," a mUHlral comedy based on the story of the same name by Robert W. Chambers, music by William Frederick Peters. Frank Lalor will have the principal comedy role. The Rhuberts and Wlllam A. Brady announce the presentation at the Manhattan Opera House later In the season of the Drury I.Ane melo- drama "Sealed Orders." Two of the import- ant scenes are a battleship and a dirigible balloon. John Coutts, far from being a well man. has Joined his show, "The Olrl of My Dreams." The Anna Held show Is starting something for having big representation on the road. John H. Raftery Is some three weeks ahead as special writer. Oeorge H. Jordon will be business manager and attend to the first show arrange- ments ahead. Henry O. Smith will then be the third man In advance, with Richard Maney the last of the pltthflnders to clean up every- thing for the show to do the rest Press agents who make Chicago this season are finding the no-pass rule a detriment to their work. Formerly the press agent who invaded the office of a Sunday editor was able to ask him over to see the show and this al- ways facilitated the breaking Into the Sunday sheets. But all this has been done away with, under the compact made between the Shuberts and K. ft B. people. Now when the press agent goea In with nls hat In his hand and his photographs under his arm. he has nothing to offer In return for favors asked, but a sad smile. There Is no question but that the pass evil has been a serloua one In Chicago for some time, and the newspapers have been among the worst offenders. Certain editors asked large numbers of passes. It Is said one man. formerly on one of the big dailies, even got elected to a city office through the discriminate distribution of passes that he had grafted from managers and advance men. City officials have also been offenders In this line, and the free lists at some of the bouses have been enormous. Under the present sys- tem, only the dramatic editors of the accredit- ed dally papers are allowed to witness shows without first planking down the cash. It Is prophesied that there will he less theatrical news printed In Chicago this season concern- ing certain theatres than formerly, for not only have the pass perquisites been cut down, but advertising space has also been cur- tailed In certain quarters. The new quarters of the San Francisco Press Club at Powell and Sutter streets were for- mallv opened to the members and visiting public Sept 6 with a stag affair. W. W. Naughton. sporting editor of the Examiner and president of the club, was master of cere- monies. The program was under the direction of a committee composed of Edward P. O'Day, William Jacobs and the irrepressible Burr Mcintosh. The dining room features were directed by Oscar Telle, Selby Oppenhelmer, Walter Doyle, Frederick Hoff, Alexander Sutherland, Robert A. Roos and Harry Rob- ertson. An informal entertainment program followed, and a feature was several vocal numl>ers by the newly organized Press Club Quartet, consisting of Harold Pracht, Frank Thompson, J. C. Flood and George J. Wallace. The next contribution to the theatrical sea- son from the Shuhert establishment will be a musical comedy, "O. I Say," to be seen shortly In a Shubert house. The music is by Jerome Kern and the piece had Its premiere in London. The American company will Include Walter Jones. Joseph Herbert, Joseph Phillips, Richard Temple, Alice Yorke, Bert Clark, Mabel Hamilton, Flavla Arcaro, Clara Palmer, Helen Lee, Lucy Dodge. Vivian Martin has been engaged for John Cort's "The Marriage Game" which is now In rehearsal under Hugh Ford's direction. John J. Donnelly Is managing the "Rob Roy" production at the Amsterdam which opened Monday night. Fred Schader Is doing the press work and is repeating the success that he made with "The Rose Maid" at the Globe last year. Mr. Schader now sports a cane, a wrist watch and a monocle. Jos. M'. Gaites has returned from his Cana- dian trip long enough to arrange for the John Ilyams-Leila Mclntyro show, "When I..ove is Young," to open at the Grand O. H.. Wilkes- Barre, Pa., Sept. 20. In the support of the stars will be Edgar Norton, Harrv Ilanlon, George Shields, Jack Winthrop, Billy Lynn, Frank Brownies, Jack Madden, Emsy Alton, Helen Hanlon, and Sylvie DeFrankle, and a chorus of 30. The book of "When Love is Young" Is by RIda Johnson Young, lyrics by William Cary Duncan and score by William Schoeder. U. S. ScoviUe is managing the road tour in the west of "The Maid and the Minister." "The Suffragettes," a two act musical com- edy, now playing the middle west, is backed by Eugene H. Purkiss. The show started out the first of the month. C. S. Primrose, who has the western rights to "The Spendthrift." has his production headed bv Marion Sherman. Other attrac- tions which Primrose has under his wing are 'Where the Trail Divides." "The Thief" and "The Great Divide." He has enough "divides" on his string to bring him some divisions worth while if the one night busi- ness pans out. Charles J. Collins has been engaged to play Diamond Willie with "The Master Mind" Co., In which Willis Granger Is to be starred this fall. day on the road carrying a nifty littla oana for the first time in his life. His explanation was that the show owner told him to carry a little dignity with his work ahead and the cane was the answer. Royal C. Stout is personally managing the "A Slave Olrl of New York." which haa Nel- lie Kennedy featured in the title role. The company is now playing Indiana. Wade Morton will travel ahead of the south- ern company of "A Girl of the Underworld" which opens Oct. 15 at Savannah, Ga. Joe Wicks will manage the company. The show is backed by two New York managers. The United Booking Association of Chicago has put out a road production of Lem B. Parker's dramatisation of M. B. Braddon's "Married in Haste" which is playing the mid- dle west. Clay Lambert (Wee A Lambert) is taking a two weeks' vacation. He's up with the pigs in Sullivan County. 8. V. Campbell is ahead of "The Virginian" companv which will play the south this year. Harry Haley is the manager. W. H. Hosklns is doing the advance work for the Chas. H. Brooke production of "A Girl of the Underworld" which opened Monday at Oyster Bay. Lem B. Parker, formerly a director with the Sellg Co.. has another picture proposition up his sleeve which be expects will keep him on the Pacific Coast all winter. Parker is now in Los Angeles. He has not turned out any new plays this summer but has devoted much time to scenario work. William Kibble, proprietor and manager of Stetaon's "Uncle Tom's Cabin," was on Broad- way Monday. He reports business upstate the best he has encountered In that neck o' woods since the show was first organized. The Federated Churches of Cleveland sent a representative to New York a few days ago to witness a performance of "Damaged Goods" with Instructions to report on the propriety of the piece. Rev. B. R. Wright was the com- mittee. He reported that the play could be given In Cleveland (where It It booked) with- out offense, provided tickets were not sold to persons less than 18 years old. Mayor Baker of Cleveland has Issued a statement In which he Indorses the uplift drama. That American full page Sunday special of the Hoffmann-Polalre-Constance Stewart-Rich- ardson trl-star tour, continues to Iwb up away from New York. Last week It was in the Reading Telegram, occupying the page oppo- site to the advertised announcement that the organization would be In Reading next Wed- nesday. There Is more campaigning In San Francisco against the Barbery Coast. Several clergy- men declared for Its suppression from their pulpits Sunday. This Is but part of the move- ment San Franciscans fear that the Coast will work a damage upon the chances for suc- cess of the Panama-Pacific Exposition and want It closed. There is a law on the statute books providing for the closing of any resort on the proved complaint of a citizen, but it Is held In abeyance under a referendum. The Coast habitues, however, have little hope of upsetting the law, owing to the Influence of voting women in California. At last! Allen Lowe's "Dream Maiden" will be given for the first time at the Empire, Syracuse, Sept 21). Audrey Maple heads the cast. John M. Fodris wll manage the tour. Edwin T. Emery is handling the production. "When Dreams Come True" moved to the 44th street from the Lyric Monday night The admission scale was reduced to ^l.W for the best seats at night and $1 at matinees. This is the first time Ifroadway theatre prices havn been reduced since Col. Savage tried the scheme at the Herald Square many years ago. Walker Whiteside opens Sept. 20 at the Alvln, Pittsburgh, to play the middle west until the holidays with "The Typhoon." Then he will tour In the south and New England. Speaking of eugenics—well. If you weren't, everybody else is—Adgle Costello night letters from Philadelphia that her lioness. Trilby, delivered four lion cubs. Thus introducing the subject, Adgle continues to pay tolls on the statement that she Is now carrying 12 lions In her act, with special scenery for use "in a theatre where it can be hung" and "there Is no vaudeville act that can excell her as a headllner." And, O yes, the new cubs are chained up in one while she works seven of the others In a cage. A young advance agent went out the other John Drew will play a double bill nt the Empire beginning Sept. 20. J. M. Barrle's "The Will" will be the added starter, with a revival of the "Tyranny of Tears." The H. H. Frazee press announcements are delivered in type In galley proof form. This week's budget of Information sets forth the manager's plans. "The Madcap Duchess," with Ann Swinburne, Is In preparation. It opens Oct. 26 at the Colonial, Boston. Others are Chamber's "lole," which goes into re- hearsal Oct. ft; "Babes In the Woods," drama by Catherine Chisholm Cushing; "The Soul in the Attic." by Frances Whitehouse and Elizabeth Gould : 'Behold Thy Wife." by Will- 11am R. BYlggs- "The Red Light of Mars," by George Dtonson Howard, and "The Real- ist," by Eden Grevllle. Klaw A Brlanger's producUon of "Bilk" will be put into rehearsal next week. It li by Frank Mandel and Irma Kraft William A. Brady has purchased for $1,600 the production rights of "The Shepherd King," the property of the late Wright Lorimer. William A. Brady takes issua with another manager who announced that ha bad engaged Forrest Wlnant, now with "The Family Cup- board." Mr. Wlnant has not been releaaed from his contract, declares Mr. Brady. Granville Barker's company, which will play "Fannle's First Play" over here, ba- glnnlng at the Majestic. Sept. 29, Is on the water. The organisation left London Satur- day. Alexandra Carlisle, the English actress, who has appeared over here only once, as leading woman in "The Mollusc," arrived in New York late last week. She is already In rehearsal for the principal part in "The Marrlaga Oamei," which will be seen in New York early in October. It is a John Cort property. PRESS OpInIONS. MADAM PRIBSIDIBNT^ Judging from its reception it will have other audiences at the Oarrlck laughing for weeks to come.—^Herald.- "Madam Preeldent" is as inexouaable as it is disgusting. It belongs to an era of the- atrical nastlness that Is at least a dozen years out of date.—World. The entire affair. though designedly naughty, was more often poeltlvely stupid.— Times. It Is all cleverly manipulated, and the Sphinx would crack a smile at the friskiness of "Madam President."—American. In the first place it was original, and in the second It had wit.—Evening Sun. Just how much "Madam President" will add to the gayety of life here remalna to be seen. Though not hilarious It Is fairly lively.—Bve. World. ROB ROY. If the reception last night Indlcatee any- thing It foreshadows a "fight" to obUIn tickets, and the only "lure" will be Mr. Reginald de Koven's sparkling music and Mr. Harry B. Smith's witty hook.—Herald. Next to the agreeable quality of De Koven's music, the most observable thing about the performance was the splendid singing of the principal artists headed by Bessie Abott— Times. There was a complete Justification for the return of "Rob Roy" that took place last night at the Liberty.—American. Pleasing and successful revival.—Sun. RAIN DELAYS PRINCESS. The opening of the Princess theatre on 39th street has been delayed by the huge rain storm of some days ago. The flood gave the Princess interior a wetting from which it has not yet recovered. Workmen are repairing the damage. Instead of the house opening tomor- row (Saturday) night, it will probably be Sept. 27, when the F. Ray Comstock little theatre for sketches only will first show the five new playlets in this sea- son's repertoire. Two new ones were selected Monday and complete the list. They are "Rus- sia" and "En Dishabille," from foreign lands. The American made skits are "The Bride" by William Hurlburt, "The Eternal Mystery" by George Jean Nathan, and "The Black Mask" by Tennyson Jesse and H. M. Har- wood. "The Eternal Mystery" was published in the Smart Set. Mr. Hurlburt has requested that the "J." as his middle initial be discarded hereafter. The Princess will not produce "The Daughters of Joy," not just yet any- way. It was expected to prove a com- panion piece to "Any Night" (the shining light of the theatre's last sea- son rep) in point of vivid interest. The greatest of all comedy singing, dancing and talking arts Is "breaking In" out of town for a few weeks. Watch out for the New York showing shortly.