Variety (January 1914)

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VARIETY Weber, Beck — Frazer Eva T S"i s £, THREE BOYS AND A PIANO Holmes with a beautiful desk set before his departure. A thief broke into the Alhambra theatre's box office last week and made away with what i-niRll change was on hand. Just why he picked the Alhambra, with several other regu- lar theatres right In the same vicinity, is a mystery. The popular theory is thnt the man wits thoroughly alcoholed. The annual blow-out at Houseman's MaJeBtlc Cafe In honor of Abe Jacobs took place New Year' night. A band tooted harmony while the guests proceeded to make away with sev- eral healthy turkeys. During the festivities, llughie Smith officially elected Frank House- man as Mayor of Monroe street. The new Pantages. Winnipeg, will open Feb. 0 with the regular Pantages road show being the second week on the string, the open- ing being at the Bijou. Minneapolis, as form- erly. Saskatoon will also be included In the Pantages route, playing the complete show the last three d*ys of each week. A stray zephyr from the northern end of the Rlalto brings the startling and almost un- tMlevahlc info that Claude Doyle (brother of Frank Q.) is not ten percentlng. being none other than the general manager of and Herr IMrektor of the Ed Weyerson Agency. The perplexing problem just now is who is Ed Weverson? .lack McGreevy left town this week for Las Vegas for an extended rest. While there the character man will endeavor to collect some health in addition to some new Ideas for vaudeville. Reports from Arizona say that Charlie Beehlor's condition has greatly im- proved, which fact may bring him back to Chicago before long. The Coliseum Chicago Heights, Tor years under the direction of the late Tom Flynn, is on the market and will In all probability be taken over by one of the tabloid people as a tryout house for that brand of attractions. The property owners are conducting the deal through S. L. & Fred Lowenthal. At present writing the odds favor Ned Alvord. Not trying to dig up the vuudeville ghosts of Grand Rapids, Sagiuaw or other Michigan towns, but remembering his valiant deeds In Kansas City, where he established the Gar- den theatre and made good with a little effort, it might be apropos to inquire what has be- come of one E. P. Churchill? Yes. the chap who opened a vaudeville agency here some time ago. Sadie Kussell. who has been agenting for the past year, with headquarters in the Ran- dolph Rulldlng. Is arranging to hie herself to the Consumer's Rlock on State street where she will occupy an office with Vera Peters, who also ten percents. This does not mean an affiliation of both agencies, far although considering their sex. both hnve been un- usually successful. The Fountain Inn. Just across the alley from the Saratoga Hotel, has become the head- quarters of that portion of the profession who prefer the "stag" style of life. The Inn's grill room, arranged to seat about a hundred per- sons, promises to replare the Saratoga an* other favorite rendezvous made popular by the profession. Message. Roche and Smith are responsible for the Fount. A permanent board of directors has been ap- pointed by those In charge of affairs for the new American hospital building and after a preliminary meeting at which the various offi- cers will be appointed. It Is thought the mat- ter will be rapidly pushed ahead to comple- tion. The board carries representatives of the various theatrical unions, two prominent peo- ple connected with vaudeville, n local Judge or two and Adnlph Marks, who will float the bond Issue. • Jones, Linlck & Shaeffer. who now control the destiny of the La Salle theatre, have granted an extension of four weeks commenc- ing Jan. 11 to "September Morn" now playing ♦ hat house. If business warrants the move a further extension will follow. Rowland A. Clifford who have th" attraction, hnve guar- anteed 'the vaudeville film SI.OCX) weeklv over and above all expenses. After "September Morn" leaves the La Salle Is liable to try the J. L. ft 8. brand of pop vaudeville. The firm has not yet decided on a permanent policy for their latest acquisition. If vaudeville fails the house will either try pictures or tabloids. Elbtrt Hubbard, novelist, monologlst, sage, etc., has devised a new wrinkle to get the sugar, I. e., to give various vaudeville nouses a daily or weekly service of slides on which Fra Elbert will distribute what is known or to be known as wit and wisdom. The Idea sounds plausible as well as practical since Fra Hubbard will endeavor to keep the series up to date (for a certain fee). A peek at a specimen slide caught the following: "Elbert Hubbard is the greatest writer—vocabulary and range of ideaB considered—that the world has ever seen, ancient or modern." (Signed) Robert Barr, novelist. Three guesses, kid, wit or wisdom? Chicago theatres did a tremendous business Wednesday and Thursday of last week. The city was full of holiday visitors and they all seemed anxious to patronize the playhouses. "Follies' 'at the Illinois played to more busi- ness than ever in the history of the Zlegfeld regime for two days. William Hodge brought in about $4,00<> on Wednesday, and the four performances of 'Help Wanted" at the Cort drew over $0,000. Chicago playhouses have been enjoying exceptionally good business all the season, and the outlook for the remainder of the season looks favorable, according to those who claim to be in the know. Ed Howard and Co., who offer "Those Were Happy Days." etc., had a unique experience recently while playing the Indiana, a local pop" theatre booked by the W. V. M. A. During one of the performances, Howard mis- judged the distance between the curtain and the footlights and participating In a bit of "business" which entails some rough handling by his "straight" man, did a graceful Brody Into the orchestra pit. The audience, accept- ing it as a part of the performance, paid lit- tle attention to the accident, but George LeVec (who is said to own the house) saw the affair from a different angle. On payday. Howard discovered that he was fined a portion of his salary and very wisely refused to accept any. Just who elected LeVee to the office of Judge and jury is problematical. SAM FRANCISCO By HARRY BONNELL VARIETY'S SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE PANTAQEB* THKATBE DLDO. Phone. Douglas* 2211 EMPRESS. The Empress regulars didn't seem to fancy "A Night in a Police Station." Mary Dorr did well with her songs. Prince Floro gave big satisfaction. Wilson and Rich pleased, while Arthur Geary did fairly well. The Les Trio M'orandlnl, splendid in open- ing spot. The closing time was devoted to a tango contest which drew Its share of atten- tion. ^ ORPHEUM.—Horace Goldin was a success- ful closer. Muller and Stanley scored big. while Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Allen proved excellent entertainers. Doudinl Brothers were a bit with their music. Shrlner and Richards did not come up to expectations. Tryon's Dogs successfully held down the dosing posi- tion. Catherine Countess did not show for her second week. Lillian Herleln held over and the Five Sullys appeared. PANTAGES.—Texas, a college boy with the advertised strength of a Samson, was moder- ately Interesting. "The 101.'i Tango Revue," Bothwell Browne's dancing production, was artistically classy. Six Musical Splllers were entertaining. Cole. Russell and Davis man- aged to get away with their comedy turn. The La Belles were out of the bill. Seymour and Robinson scored cleanly In the opening spot. Weston and Young were liked. An added fea- ture was the movie reproduction of the Arthur Pelky-Gunboat Smith fight New Year's day. and they proved a big draw. As Smith regis- tered a K. O. In the 15th round the finish makes 'em all the more exciting. CORT (Homer F. Curran. mgr.: Shuberts i "Little Women" (second and last week); "Within the Law" (Margaret lllington). GAIETY (T. H. Rosenthal, mgr). "The Girl at the Golden Gate" (Irene Franklin), fourth week. COLUMBIA (Gottloh. Mnrx & Co mgrs. : K. & E.).--0tls Skinner In "Klsmrt" (first week). ALCAZAR (Belasco & Mayer, mgrs.). Vaughan-LvteM stock (eleventh week). SAVOY (W. A. MacKcnzle. mgr). Klelne" "Antony and Cleopatra" pictures. Company (Regards to George Whiting) I Ida Van Tine, with the "Girl at the Gate" at the Gaiety, will leave in another week. Statistics lately complied are reported to show between 15,000 and 20,000 unemployed people Just now In this city. The "Traffic in Souls" film is scheduled to follow the current "Antony and Cleopatra" picture here at the Savoy theatre. Bob Cunningham hag been reinstated by h'ert Levey and Is understood to he the gen- eral representative of the circuit, a position formerly hold by William R. Daiiey. At the conclusion of a short pop burlesque engagement in Long Beach, Cal.. George Spauldlng Is planning to take his players to Honolulu Jan. 27 to* play a limited time. Charles Mast, of Chicago, who put on the current "Girl at the Gate" show here at the Gaiety, is staging the new offering in which Marie Dressier is eo be the big feature noise. Tom McGulre, the Scotch-Irishman, returned here last week from Australia, where he re- cently concluded a tour of the Brennan-Fuller vaudeville circuit. He was accompanied by Mrs. McGulre. One more week Is announced here at the Alcazar for Evelyn Vaughan and Bert Lytell, and in all probability the limited engagement of Andrew Mack and his Irish Players will Immediately follow. Three young men of this city Karl Wood- side, Gilbert Moore and Joseph Kelly, started out from here on New Year's day on a "hike" to New York City, where they arc figuring on arriving 150 days later. As If mute evidence of prosperity. Turner Ai Duhnken have recently increased the down- stairs evening prices at the Tlvoll opera house from 15c. to 20c. and with the box and loge seats continuing at 50c. Ross Gertrldgc, of the advance forces of the AI G. Barnes animal show last season, has been engaged by Bert Levey to manage the Empress, Vallejo. Cal., In place of Al Watson, transferred to the Republic, lx>s Angeles. Instead of going to Ix>ng Beach before sail- ing for his engagement wltb the Consolidates Amusement Company In Honolulu, George Spauldlng and his pop burlesquers have gone to entertain the natives of Vallejo for the Bert Levey circuit at the Empress. W. L Wllken came In here ahead of the Gaby Deslys show a single man and after a week's stay at the Continental Hotel, went away with a wife, whom he Is said to have first met here at this time. Mrs. Wllken was Mary Robert- son, the younger of two slBters. March 16 is announced as the date when the Chicago Opera Company will commence a two weeks' engagement nt the Tlvoll under the direction of Manager W. H. Leahy. The maxi- mum price of reserved seats will be $5 in- stead of $7 as charged last season and the minimum price Is to be $2. Six new acts and two holdovers made up lust week's bill at the Orpheum. Heretofore It used four holdovers with the same number of new turns. It Is understood the acts that ordinarily would be held over here are now playing two weeks In Oakland, all of which Is more or less of an acknowledgment of the stiff opposition across the street at the Gaiety. Will Phillips did not close a fortnight ago with the "Girl at the (fate" at the Gaiety a* planned, and Keeco Gardner in turn remained In his old part of Normal Beane. The current attraction shows plain evidence of working out at a much faster gate than at the opening nnd right afterward, and with a couple of fun cre- ators like Hlckel and Watson, who Joined the outfit Saturday nignt. the offering should speedily get over Into the hit column From Hi. accounts emlnatlng from tin- "in side," the legal action Instituted ree. ntlv by one Edwnrd Mdntyre. a retired C s naval officer and ambitious playwright against .fane O'Roarke for alleged "piracy" of the former's vaudeville playlet recently al the Hipp >drome. l/os Angeles, appears to be pn My mil h the result of petty social differences between the pair nnd which caused the author to feel piqued nnd peeved. Nothing material seem* to hnve come from the court a'tion except som - effective dally newspaper puhli> ify for the a tress. The latest novelty offered here at the I'or tola-Louvre is a musical mixture entitbd "\ Carnival In Venice" and produced under the direction of Reginald L. Hidden the new o? i lie*tra lender. With n Venetian scenic ba< k ground, a quartet of opcratl ■ singer- render selections from prominent grand operas and the finale Ib reached when a bunch of Juve- nile choristers and dancers come on In a terpslchorean combination labeled the "Vene- tian Tango" and "Funlcula." The vaudeville program that follows Includes vocal offerings by Vera Alwyn, Thelma Thelmalre and Ethel Leslie, and John Lynch. In addition to these there is a cabaret program. Mrs. A. J. Williams, aged 25 years and listed as a vaudeville actress who played here at Pantages' theatre last week, celebrated New Year's eve in the unusual fashion of attempt- ing to commit suicide by shooting herself In the abdomen with a revolver. The deed was committed nt a prominent theatrical hostelry following a watch party celebration and Is al- leged to have been the result of a slight mis- understanding with her husband. The wound- ed woman was taken to the Central Emer- gency Hospital for treatment. Her condition was found to bo not serious and the next day she was returned to her room at the hotel, where she Is convalescing. What appears to have been a systematic Job of theatre ticket pilfering was uncovered Christmas when Treasurer Clarence Brown. Chief Ticket Taker Thomas Avont and Har- old Barron, an usher, are said to have been "caught with the goods" so unmistakably that Brown and B'arron are alleged to have signed written confessions of their guilt. The trio at once resigned their respective positions which have since been filled, former Treasurer Norvln Smith again taking charge of the box office. The exact nmount of the a..eged pecu- lations cannot well be determined, but tho ro tiring treasurer Is reported to have made a cash restitution to the extent of $200. Avont is understood to have stoutly denied tho accu- sations made against him. In the organization of the new Marie Dress- ier show, the Gaiety theatre management Is understood to have experienced considerable difficulty In securing suitable material for the male and female choruses. The "Candy Shop" songsters were picked up In New York last summer and at a time when there was some- thing real classy to Belect from. When "The (Jlrl at the Gate" was framed up from here some time ago, the management was fortunate In being able to get experienced people from the disbanded 'Enchantress," "Count of Lux- embourg" and "Merry Countess" companies In recruiting the Dressier outfit. It ha* been necessary to rely In a great measure on "Coast defenders" of the amateur variety. As the Gaiety promoters are planning to organize two or three more companies during the next few months, a dearth of capable choristers seems Imminent unless either some more "girlie" shows close out this way or a stage dancing school is opened In connection with the Gaiety enterprises for the development of local talent. LOS ANGELES By JACK JOSEPHS. ORPHEUM (Clarence Drown, mgr). Week 20. Marie and Mary McFarlnnd. liked ; Billy Gould nnd Belle Ashlyn, well received ; John E. Hazznrd, fair ; Kennedy and Rooncy, good ; Edna Munsey, pleased ; second week Mile. Dazlc. Lewis and McCnrty and Stuart Barnes. EMPRESS (Dean B. Worley. mgr.).—Ex- cellent bill. "The Bower of Melody," very good ; Louise Mayo, pleased ; Sam J. Harris, entertaining: The Hallo Bros., good ; Three Emersons, fine; Martini and Maximilian, good PANTAGES (Carl Walker, mgr).—"The Priestess of Kama," fair; The Juggling Nor- mans, clever; Vincent and Raymond, pleased: Romero Family, liked : TCathryn Mlley, well received ; La tell Bros., capable. HIPPODROME (Lester Fountain, mgr). - Herbert Clifton, hit; Aldo Bros., good; the two Lowes, liked ; Hilda Light, plcasod ; Me Kee, Rankin and Isabelle Evesson. satisfied ; Abrnms and Johns, fine sketch ; Suennen. fair. REPUBLIC (Dave Silverman, temp mgr ; agent, Bert Levey). Vaudeville. MAJESTIC (Joseph Montrose. mgr ). Robf, Mantell, fair business ; current, Sothern Marlow. MOROSCO (('has l-.yton. mgr.). Tandy Shop." third Week ; business good. MASON (W. T Wyatt. mgr ; K K E). Mrs Fiske ; current. May Irwin. M'DITOIMUM (I. !■:' Reyhmer. Mgr) Dee. 2!>-'H. Gaby lleMyn gave tlve shows which Imlndod two matln«c, to rapacity. The And|» torlum seats inor. than three thousand. Or- chestra seats for the flight : hows sold for- th ree dollars. BURBANK (Oliver Morocco mgr). "The Littlest Rebel." second w< < k • stock CENTURY (l.oewen Uro- . mgr I Cop burlesque Tickets are beiML' ->old fi > r the Cnidv Shop for t h ree wei k i ii advance L< n B' hymi-r tin- Auditorium manager. I- handling the i.ibaret at the Ucxandria Hotel Tl.ki th« ONLY NOVELTY ACROBATIC ACT OF ITS KIND wliicli k<< p; lip- ,'Mulirncr- ;/U'-smiu:. S.'tililU' I'M" KllT'ipf ill M.'il'rll !n «M»cli M! I.OU'l' Ml . WILL COLLINS, \- t