Variety (February 1914)

10 VARIETY PrnSBURGH PUY PIRATING GROWN T O BE CO MMON THING Radius of 40 Miles from Smoketown and Elsewhere in Middle West May Be Found Biggest Hits Playing Under Assumed Titles, Without Payment of Royalty. Doing It Wholesale. Play Brokers at Work to Stop "Lifting'' A hue and cry came from Pittiburgh thia week againat the wholesale pirat- ing of plays by various tabloid stock companies within a radius of 40 miles of that city» and elsewhere in middle west. Pittsburgh play brokers intend to devise some e£Fective way whereby business of "lifting" plays can be stopped. A prominent Pittsburgh play pro- ducer and broker says that managers uf the houses where the piracy runs full blast are unable to pay the legiti- mate play brokers the royalties de- manded for the big pieces and in order tu produce them "lift" what plays they want without fear or respect for the rrghts of any author. This producer says that he has seen plays pirated but never in such a wholesale way as it is being done aiound Pittsburgh. Nearly all of the most successful plays have been pro- duced during the last IS weeks around there under other titles and with the names changed, according to him. He further says "Under present con- ditions it is impossible for anyone to try in a legal way to get business in this part (meaning Pittsburgh) of the country. "That the theatre manager knows what he is doing is evident, for in most cases around here he owns the com- panies. I know of one circuit that a company of men—all of whom have money—are laughing at the business they are getting and when asked if th*y were not afraid to put on these plays, replied someone would have to prove what they were playing. There should be some way to stop what we believe is going to be the death of stock in this part of the country/' CHANGES IN CHICAGO. Chicago, Feb. 11. Changes in the Chicago theatrical map were not so numerous this week, as last, but they were important. The Gilbert & Sullivan opera company came to the Auditorium for a month's stay; "The Pleasure Seekers" arrived at the Garrick, and Christie MacDon- ald and her company in "Sweethearts," opened at the Illinois. George Arliss, who had a good run in "Disraeli," a season or so ago at Cohan's, came to the Blackstone for an engagement, and the repertoire company at the Fine Arts theatre will stage Shakespeare's "Measure For Measure." SUFFRAGETTES CENSORING. The Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage of the State of New York, following th^ example of the Catholic Movement Committee, has entered the legitimate theatrical censorship field and will shortly issue a list of plays approved by them. This was decided upon by the asso- ciation in view of the tendency of some suffragettes to endorse a number of the. so-called "white slave" plays and fea- ture films. MARIE DRESSIER ILL San Francisco, Feb. 11. Marie Dressier, ill with laryngitis, was unable to appear in the Gaiety show Sunday or Monday and Marta Golden selected to fill her place. The Gaiety is feeling Miss Dressler's absence at the box ofRce. Her attend- ing physician says she will be able to resume her stage work in a few days. For some reason the house execu- tive would not permit Miss Golden to attempt Miss Dressler's part. The management this afternoon an- nounced that Miss Dressier would positively return to the cast Friday. "DIGGING" TO ADVERTISL Harry Von Tilzer is not yet out of the woods with his financing of "To- Day" at the 48th Street theatre. The piece started poorly, but with a huge bundle of money invested in publicity business crept up until it did about $6,- 000 a week. Of late it has been dropping off steadily, until it reached the $500 and $600 a night mark. Von Tilzer was notified that, at that rate, it would have to vacate shortly and shoved another bankroll into the breach, when it again showed signs of life. At present the show is showing a profit for the house, but with the large advertising to maintain it the backer is digging deeper and deeper into his pockets. EDWIN HOLT STRICKEN. Chicago, Feb. 11. Edwin Holt, who has been playing one of the chief roles in "The Lure" at the Princess, is out of the cast, suffer- ing from a stroke. His place has been taken by Harold Russell, who had been playing the part in one of the road companies. "SPECUUTING"* GROWS WARIH The theatrical managers of New York appear to have taken a big bite when they attempted to settle who should have an advantage in hotel ticket selling, through the public press. Many of them grabbed their hats and reached the District Attorney's office in a hurry when the fact that that municipal department intended making a serious investigation of the entire affair, that originally started with the" confusion over the Metropolitan opera house tickets with Tyson & Co., and later brought out the transaction with the Tyson Company that the Shuberts had entered into through F. Ray Com- stock. It was this "deal" that brought pub- licity, aided by advertisements from the Klaw & Erlanger side that were answered by the Tyson Company an- nouncements. None of the managers apparently wanted to go on record re- garding "outside ticket selling," and they conferred with Arthur C. Train, of the public prosecutor's office. As a result two or three ordinances will be submitted to the Board of Aldermen, and Albany will likely take cognizance of the situation. As a plain matter of fact, outside of local jurisdiction, this speculating thing has opened a new field for the "hold- ups" in Albany that the theatrical managers may safely depend upon will occur annually hereafter. Monday tickets for the Metropolitan were placed on sale in the Shuberts' local houses. It is said the Tyson Company has contracted to handle 600 of these coupons nightly, and needed aid in getting rid of them. The Her- ald published an account of the Met. ticket distribution. It was the Herald which first detailed the Shuberts-Tyson Company transaction. PRESIDENT BARRED. A Mr. Beard, whose name appears as president of the Century Opera Co., which is presenting grand opera at popular prices at the theatre bearing the name of the corporation, is at pres- ent in the position of-being barred from securing the courtesies of admission to his own enterprise. Beard issues the Century programs and another publication connected with the operatic venture, which has been conducted at a loss. The Century com- pany not only refuses to assume the obligations, but the Aborns, managing directors of the company, probably with the approval of the board of di- rectors, have refused Beard the house courtesies. WANTS SOME ROYALTY. Edward A. Paulton would like to see a little royalty, in the form of cash, from "The Queen of the Movies." So far he has received none, although making demands for it to Thomas W. Rylcy, producer of the musical comedy at the Globe. An attorney has taken the matter up for Paulton, who adapted the original book for the American version. He also supplied the lyrics for the score, excepting a couple of interpolated numbers. Accounts say that Glen McDonough "touched up" the book, but Paulton is reported as claiming no material change of note can be detected, and that is why he is persisting that some- body should come across with regular money for his labors. ASKIN IN ADVANCE. Harry Askin is travelling "in ad vance" of "Romance," TOM LEWIS REMAINS. Arthur Hammerstein's "High Jinks" at the Casino, will retain Tom Lewis in the cast, the comedian having elect- ed to remain, withdrawing his "no- tice." Elizabeth Murray leaves the company this Saturday, with Stella Mayhew taking up the role commenc- ing Monday. SHOWS aosiNG. "The Lottery Man" has abandoned its road tour in the west owing to bad business. "Billy, the Kid" wound up its travels Saturday night in Utica at the bidding of its manager, William Wood, who will hereafter devote all his time to the management of the Boston theatre, Boston. The show has been unable to find new territory that looked pros- perous. "Ready Money" closed Saturday night in Toronto, and the company returned to New York Monday but were held in readiness, as the piece may resume at the West End next week. The show has covered over 16,000 miles. "Our Village Postmaster," which Wallie Stephens has been presenting in the west, is closing Feb. 14. The show will reopen around April 11 un- der E. H. Perry's direction for an ex- pected summer engagement with Casey Ransom in the title role. Alice £. Ivei, who wrote "Our Village Post- master," closed a deal this week where- by the play will be made into a movie special by a New York company. Henry Miller closed his tour in "The Rainbow" in Newark Saturday night. He will remain in New York to rehearse his company in his forth- coming production of "Daddy Long- legs." Boston, Feb. 11. David Belasco's "Years of Discre- tion," with Effie Shannon, is due to close its season with the ending this week of the engagement at the Tre- mont. Net week, in that house, Raymond Hitchcock in "The Beauty Shop," will open. ••WAY DOWN EAST** PICKS UP. Boston, Feb. 11. Just when things looked blue for the "Way Down East" engagement at the Boston theatre, business took an upward flight, and the company will remain indefinitely. The show was tremendously adver- tised through billing and extra news- paper advertising, besides a parade on the day of opening. This was permis- sible through the house not being affiliated with the local Managers' As- sociation, which limits its advertising expenditures. ANNA DAVIDSON DESERTED. Pittsburgh, Feb. 11. Anna Davidson, testifying in her di- vorce proceedings against Harry Davidson, a theatrical man, averred he deserted her in Texas, Aug. 28, 1910, eloping with an actress, unnamed, who was stopping at the same hotel. Plaintiff further testified she has not seen Davidson since 1910, and has not received money for support of herself and their child. Court directed a brief be filed. Homer Howard is ill with pneumonia and reported in grave condition. HUGH HERBERT IN "P. & P." This week Arthur Klein placed Hugh Herbert, the star of "The Son of Solomon," with A. H. Woods for one of the forthcoming duplicated "Potash & Perlmutter's shows.