Variety (December 1913)

r h^ ■\ &' f^ I Vol. XXXIII. No. 1. NEW YORK CITY, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1913. THE NEW YORK LIBRAHY r-mtti PRICE 10 CENTS. NEW YORK'S "SUNDAY SHOWS" VIOLATIN G THE STATE LAWS Vaudeville Artists Forced to Worlt Seven Days Weekly, Besides Running the Risk of Arrest. Not Necessary in Otiier Cities. Receive No More Money in New York for 14 Shows Ttian Outside for 12. Theatre Mana- gers Fully Aware They Are Running Risk. A«TOR, LENOX AND Til nc lu cr\i iMftATirtMO The OFlficiAlJMsm-fiOhe WHITE RATS ACTORS' UNION and ASSOCIATED ACTRESSES OF AMERICA, as formerly printed exclusively ill 9lMm fF- appears on Pages 14 and 15 of this Issue. The managers of New York theatres which give Sunday vaudeville perform- ances are violating the New York State "Sunday Law" every time they do it, and are fully aware of the risk they run. A copy of the Code relating to theatrical performances on the Sabbath is printed in this issue. Varibtt has been in receipt of sev- eral letters of late bearing on this sub- ject. They came from professionals and laymen. The artists wanted to know why they were obliged to per- form seven days every week in New York City, without obtaining rest, while in other cities in the east they had to appear upon the stage but six days out of the seven. No more money is paid them, say the actors, in a "scv-n-flav town" than in one where the theatres are not allowed to open on the Sabbath. Nearly all the artists complained of the hardship of the con- tinuous work, sometimes amounting to more than 14 performances a week, and wanted to know how the vaude- ville managers who play their weekly bill Sunday the same as it is given througi.oi.i the week days can do so without violating the law. Letters from laymen have inquired why the police make a distinction be- tween the vaudeville performance on a Sunday and baseball or football, which is not allowed. The laymen also dwelt upon the actor who must always report to the theatre daily, without ' for recreation, as he must play in vaudeville every afternoon and night. Deputy Police Commissioner New- berger, of New York, has been a regu- lar attendant at the theatres Sunday nights. He has been reported as not in favor of the Sunday shows, run as wide open as they are at present. Dancers, acrobats, character comedians and comediennes, dramatic sketches, ribald songs and suggestive motions are allowed by the New York police to desecrate the Sabbath. The per- formers do not want to work the seventh day, if they can avoid it. A day of rest means much to an artist. It is the manager who insists and men- PASSES GOOD EVERY DAY. The Palace free passes now being issued are good for all matinees, in- cluding Saturdays and Sundays. RUSSEIiL*S CLOSING DATE. The closing date for the Lillian Rus- sell road show has been set by John Cort as Jan. 10, at Wilmington, N. C. EDNA GOODRICH SAILING. Preparations to reside abroad appear to have been made by Edna Goodrich, who is sailing Saturday for the other side. She has given up her apartment ai the Oregon. THEATRICAL AND OTHER PERFORMANCES ON SUNDAY. (Penal Code of New York State.) The performance of any tragedy, comedy, opera, ballet, farce, negro minstrelsy, negro or other dancing, wrestling, boxing with or without gloves, sparring contest, trial of strength, or any part or parts therein, or any circus, equestrian or dramatic performance or exercise, or any per- formance or exercise of jugglers, acrobats, club performances or rope dancers on the first day of the week is forbidden; and every person aid- ing in such exhibition, performance or exercise by advertisement, posting otherwise, and every owner or lessee of any garden, building or other room, place or structure, who leases or lets the same for the purpose of any such exhibition, performance or exercise, or who assents to the use of the same, for any such purpose, if it be so used, is guilty of a mis- demeanor. In addition to the punishment therefor provided by statute, every per- son violating this section is subject to a penalty of five hundred dollars, which penalty "The Society for the Reformation of Juvenile Delinquents" in the city of New York, for the use of that society, and the overseers of the poor in any other city or town, for the use of the poor, are authorized, in the name of the people of this state, to recover. Besides this penalty, every such exhibition, performance or exercise, of itself, annuls any license which may have been previously obtained by the manager, superintendent, agent, owner or lessee, using or letting such building, garden, room, place or other structure, or consenting to such exhibition, performance or exercise. AMALGAMATION TALKED ABOUT. Wednesday of this week it was re- ported on the street the oft predicted general amalgamation of theatrical in- terests controlled by Klaw & Erlanger and the Shuberts was an accomplished fact and would go into effect by Jan. 1. The announced purchase by George B. Cox of certain interests in the Shu- bert enterprise formerly owned by Samuel Untermyer and Andrew Freed- man was believed to be a portion of the larger deal, which has been carefully guarded. No verification of the report was to be had. MARIE LLOYD IN CHICAGO. Chicago, Dec. 3. Marie Lloyd will resume her vaude- ville tour next Monday, when she is due to open a week's engagement at the Palace, here. tions in his contract with the artist at least 14 shows a week must be given. The legitimate player usually appears eight times weekly. The New York police will not allow a legitimate play (Continued on page 21.) KEITH SIGN UP. Atlantic City, Dec. 3. A sign reading "B. F. Keith Star Vaudeville" now adorns tlic new the- atre on the Garden Pier. CORT, BOSTON, JAX. 10. Jan. 10 is the date the John Cort office has set for the official opening of the new Cort, Boston. It is a cer- tainty Laurette Taylor in "Peg o* My Heart" will not open the house. The starter is expected to be "The Mar- riapre Game," now at the Comedy, New York. W-H CATOLOG SOLD. The Wenrich-Howard music pub- lishing company last week sold its catalog to Henry Watterson of the Watcrson-Bcrlin-Snyder Co.