Variety (October 1914)

TAKIBTT "ALIEN ENEMIES" RESCUED BY GERMAN LODGE IN ENGLAND International Artisten Loge of Germany Sends Representative and Funds to England, for Benefit of German Artists There. Clemart of Federation Refused Aid From V. A. F. Because Germans Were "Alien Enemies/' I. A. L. Claims It As- sisted English Artists Germany Without Request. m (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Oct. 5. Joseph Adclman, member of the In- ternational Artisten Lodge Executive Council is in London, engaged in aiding members of the German order to reach home. He brought with him a large fund to finance the relief work. Adelman, on his arrival Saturday from Berlin, declared word had been sent from the I. A. L. to the Variety Artists' Federation (English) that the Lodge would guarantee all disburse- ments made in helping German artists caught in England by the breaking out of hostilities, to reach their homes on the Continent. The I. A. L. was informed, according to Adclman's statement, that the Fed- eration declined to extend help to"alien enemies," as Germans are designated in England. Adelman thereupon hastened to Lon- don and deposited $250 with W. H. Clemart, chairman of the executive board of the Federation to cover expen- ditures in getting lodge members out of the country. In explanation of the Federation's at- titude, Clemart declaresrthe V. A. F. has no fund from which it could have drawn money for the purpose of aiding foreign acts under the circumstances, and be- sides, he declared, the Federation was too busy with the complicated question of the 50-50 proposals of the music hall managers to assume added responsibili- ties. The Federation chief, however, ac- cepted Adelman's money on deposit and agreed to put the question up to the executive committee. Adelman says the German lodge came to the assistance of all English acts playing in Germany when the war broke out, waiving the point even of their membership in a performers' organiza- tion. He added that the German order, through its chief, Konorah, had made representations to the German govern- ment which brought about the release of many English artists under arrest as prisoners of war. The International Artisten Lodge of Germany is mainly composed of Contin- ental vaudeville artists. It is affiliated with the Variety Artists' Federation of England, that occupies the same posi- tion among the artists of Great Britain. Both foreign societies are affiliated with the White Rats of this country. ANNA HELD WRITES. Anna Held, now living at Pau, on the French border line near Biarwitz, has written a letter as to her war sur- roundings to New York friends, saying that when she left Paris the next thing she expected to hear was the pa- rade of German soldiers up the French boulevards. Miss Held had a difficult time in reaching Pau, the trip from Paris taking three days. Miss Held wrote in part: "It is the most horrible, inhuman war I have ever read of. In 1870 it must have been bad but this is barbaric. They are cut- ting off the hands of the boys so they will not be able to carry any arms when they grow up. We have only women and children here to do the work, the men and boys being away to war. . . ." Now that Paris is more settled Miss Held intends to return there for fur- ther residence. ARTHUR PRINCE'S JOKE. (8pedal Cable to Variety.) London, Oct. 7. What was thought last week to have been Arthur Prince's determination to join the English army now turns out to have been a joke of some sort. Mr. Prince sails on the Mauretania Sat- urday, accompanied by Mrs. Prince, to play American vaudeville engagements. When questioned regarding the report of his enlistment he said he would write a letter regarding it to Variety-. Last week Mr. Prince informed the turns playing on the same bill with him he had canceled his contracts for the States and enlisted. The stage- hands got together and presented the ventriloquist with field glasses; the artists on the bill tendered him a ban- quet. Mr. Prince appeared in public immediately after in uniform. "THE SPHINX" FLIVS CS**XoJ OaMo to Variety.) London, Oct. 5. "The Sphinx" is the third silly play at the Court. It is a failure. HUSBAND'S DEATH CABLED. Toronto, Oct. 7. Friday of last week when "Lady Luxury" was playing here a cablegram received by Beppy Hardgrove (Mrs. E. C. Pepper), the leader of the ballet, informed fce'r her husband, Captain Ed- ward C. Pepper of the Honorable Ar- tillery of England was killed in action in France. VOLMOELLER'S TRAVELS. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Oct. 5. Carl Volmoeller, who is nursing the project of producing "Morocco" in the United States, was in Italy a few days ago and is now on his way to Berlin, according to information which reached London today. CIRCUS NEUTRALITY. The most difficult places to observe the neutrality injunction of President Wilson have been in the travelling cir- cuses since the war began. The feuds among the different na- tionalities under the canvas (and there are performers from all the countries involved with the larger circuses) re- sulted in a stern order being posted (following several fist fights among the various sympathizers) that a repetition of the offense would carry with it im- mediate dismissal of the participants. NOT BOOKING GERMANS. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Oct. 7. The vaudeville agents here say they are transacting American business for German acts while the war is on. They also claim they have not per- formed any service for Germans in connection with American bookings since the war started. ARTISTS LEASE THEATRE. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Oct. 5. Julia Neilson and Fred Terry, well known players, have leased the Strand for a year beginning with the new year. They will produce two plays in the house, according to announced plans. In the meantime the revival of "The Silver King" holds forth there. SEVENTY, AND WOULD FIGHT. (Special Cable to Variety.) Paris, Oct. 5. Anatole France, the French author, in spite of his seventy years, has applied for enlistment. FRITZ KREISLER WOUNDED. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Oct. 5. Fritz Kreisler, the Austrian violinist, is in a field hospital in Galicia, having been wounded in action against the Rus- sians. He is reported to be suffering with a dangerous wound in the leg and a bullet hole through the arm. The surgeons' declare he will recover and believe he will be able to play again. MORDKIN AT THE FRONT {Special Cable to Variety.) London, Oct. 5. Mordkin, the Rusian dancer, is at the front with the Czar's army. NORWORTH GETS OVER. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Oct. 7. Making his English debut in vaude- ville Monday at the Pavilion, Jack Nor- worth got over very strong at the finish of his turn. His position, open- ing after intermission, interfered with the early part of the act. Norworth sang four songs, including the "Sister Susie Sells Sea Shells" that he made an "audience number" .f in the Hippodrome revue. Evie Greene in "Florador i." (Special Cable to Variety.; London, Oct. 5. A revival of "Floradora," r^ith Evie Greene in the part she created in the original production, is slated for revival at the Aldwych shortly. SAILINGS. Oct. 3, Newhouse, Snyder Co., Genee company (St. Paul). Oct. 10, Genee, Levatkin (Olympic). Oct. 10, Joe Coyne, Arthur Prince (Mauretania). Oct. 10, The Cromwells (New York). Oct. 14, Leach Quinlan (Adriatic). PAVLOVA'S FAREWELL A BENEFIT. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Oct. 7. Pavlova will give a farewell perform- ance at the Palace Monday under the patronage of the King and Queen. It will be a benefit for the British and Russian Red Cross societies. Orchestra stalls are selling at eight dollars each. Boxes are to be auction- ed. Pavlova will not reappear here until 1916. PERCENTAGE PUN CONTINUED. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Oct. 7. The Syndicate halls continued the percentage plan payment last week to artists, who were notified by the Va- riety Artists' Federation to play and give receipts for the money received, on account. The Federation will undertake the collection of the balances claimed by the acts. TESTIMONIAL TO MURRAY. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Oct. 7. A testimonial was tendered to Paul Murray Tuesday evening at the Rcn- devouz restaurant, presided over by Walter Defrece. Murray attended in uniform ready for the front. A check was given him for $1,000 at the conclusion of fes- tivities. AMBERG SEEKS PLAYS. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Oct. 5. Gustav Ambcrg is moving about the Continental capitals in search of plays for production in the States by the Shu- berts. He was in Buda-Pesth last week and is daily expected to arrive in Berlin. SOLDIER-WARBLER RELEASED. (8pecial Cable to Variety.) London, Oct. 5. Rudolf Berper, the Metropolitan Opera tenor, will probably sing in New York this winter. He is at the front with the Austrian army, but it is un- derstood the King has granted him a furlough until March so that he will be able to appear in Berlin opera. It is likely his privilege will be extended to permit an appearance in New York also NEW LONDON DAILY. (Bpecial Cable to Variety.) London, Oct. 5. The Daily Call, a new morning half- penny newspaper, made its appearance Monday with a 16-page issue. It is rather light weight. Otto Weil on Way Here. (Special Cable to Variety.) London, Oct. 5. Otto Weil is at The Hague, waiting to take ship for the United States. He is scheduled to sail on the Rotterdam. A SENSATION "When You're • Uof Way From Home/'