Variety (October 1914)

VARIETY Bonnie Glass and Lewis Sloden are dancing professionally upon the New York Roof. Al Davis, Miss Glass' usual dancing partner, does not care to appear professionally in New York city, it is said, although he has danced with Miss Glass in Chicago. Billie Allen remains on the New York pro- fessional bill. Maurice and Florence Walton will be in charge of the "Venetian Room" in the Winter Garden building, ac- cording to report. This room is situat- ed immediately below the "Persian Room," on the top floor, where Joan Sawyer presides in season. The Mau- rice arrangement to take over the low- er floor is said to be on the same terms as Miss Sawyer's, a percentage of the gross receipts. The "Venetian Room" in the past was a restaurant, with dance floor, under separate management, al- though the Shuberts really operate eveiything in the Winter Garden edi- fice. Hugh Thompson and Gladys Von Fossen are engaged to dance at the New York Roof opening about Octo- ber 19. The Claridge Hotel, New York, has changed hands. The loss of patronage, occasioned by a remark of its former proprietor about the Hebrews, may have been the direct reason for the sale by John Hill to Merry & Boomer, who also have the McAlpin Hotel. Mr. Hill injudiciously said one evening he would like to see all the Jews in his place leave it. Mr. Hill got his wish, and along with the Hebrews went many Gentile sympathizers. It is said that at one time toward the finish of Mr. Hill's occupancy of the Claridge, but four rooms were taken on the Broadway S'de of the 12-story hotel building. A pair of prominent ballroom danc- ers will shortly separate, it is reported. The woman dancer of the duo, it is said, will wed a Fifth Avenue man. The couple have become quite famous in their line, and earned a vast amount ot money. Another reason for the sep- aration besides the incompatibility of temper or temperament is that the man, who handled the funds, invested with such a marked degree of non-suc- cess that the two people are actually "broke" at present. The man is said to have purchased small equities in heavily encumbered property, gaining great wealth for himself—on paper— later to find himself bereft of his for- tune through foreclosure of mortgages. The Cabaret dancers have become showmen and showwomen. One dancer, often billed in Broadway houses, is said to have used the scheme of "phon- ing to the theatre." The phone thing ii an old boy among the regular play- ers, but the dancer is reputed to have improved upon it. When engaging for the stage performances, the theatre's phone would ring. "Is Miss Blank playing in your theatre?" "Are you certain it is the same Miss Blank at Blank's?" "Really! Will you reserve two boxes tonight for Mrs. Ogden Mills" (or any other name well known in society). "Yes, two boxes, Mrs. Mills will have a party," and so on ad infinitum, the person phoning usually giving the impression over the wire he or she has been interrupted, when the order for two boxes is reduced to one, and the reservation made for a night or so afterward instead of "tonight." But to make good, the dancer on that eve- ning had a couple of friends call for two tickets in "Mrs. Mills' party" and pay for them. The investment was small, but the dancer quickly got the name of "drawing society." Mae Murray and Jack Jarott have paired and are rehearsing dances. They may first try it on a vaudeville audi- ence. Nora White, in charge of the tea dances at Brawner's Atop of the Strand, retired from the position as hostess Sunday. George White has charge of the dance floor in Rector's. The Art Room at the Beaux Arts opened last Thursday. Tea dances be- gan yesterday afternoon under the di- rection of Lewis Sloden and Ida Ad- ams. The former has been dancing with Bonnie Glass at the New York Roof. Clifton Webb, also in the Win- ter Garden show, replaced him. ^r-^rt^gg PWPfftg Ho$s eMpike tour. • 'Mj.BZNTmr,. IHHhciioM rue so so- Scheie /& o *.- tr voufiAX ft y\ ***+"»* c**oW£-ARE Pi*YfN<i J*' » FN&OSK-OAT£S AS $O.0K*O LEADING WOMAN CHANGED. Newark, Oct. 14. Florence Gear is leaving the Or- pheum stock. Her successor as lead- ing woman will be Frances Neilsen. STOCK OPENINGS. Spokane, Oct. 14. It is announced stock will be in- stalled at the Auditorium beginning Nov. 9, under the management of George Baker of Portland, Ore. The Cort shows, now playing at the Audi- torium, will probably be shifted to the American or new Spokane. Dan L. Weaver will be house man- ager and Charles Yark, now manager, will be shifted to the management of the house of the footlights. OBITUARY. Three Deaths in the ranks of the New York Theatrical Protective Union No. 1 during September. E. J. Whalen, aged 29, unmarried, stage hand, died Sept. 20, suddenly of pneumonia. Whalen was formerly president Local No. 2. Charles Godson, about 50, stage hand, died in Roosevelt Hospital, Sept. 29, from in- juries received by being struck by an auto at Broadway and 49th street. A widow survives. Thomas Tully, aged 45, master mechanic, formerly employed at the 116th Street theatre, died of tub- erculosis Sept. 3. A widow and family survive. Frederick J. Liodle, 55 years old, composer of comic songs and operas, died in Pittsfield, Mass., Oct. 2. New Orleans, Oct. 14. The Peruchi-Gypzene Stock opening at the Lyric Sunday contains Robert A. Mansfield, Owen Call, Edward D'Oize, Stewart Wilson, Don Peruchi, George Rareshide, Edward Clar, Ever- ett Wagner, C. D. Peruchi, Mabel Gyp- zene, Katherine Shepard, Grace Linden, Sophie Cassimus and Hazel Baker. "Arizona" is the opening bill. Pittsburgh, Oct. 14. The Schenley started stock Monday with a company headed by Nance O'Neil and George Allison. Others in- clude Arthur Hickman, Jessie Muller, W. E. Morse, Ernest Cossart, Lewis Kimball, William E. Prayer. Three matinees weekly will be given by Man- ager Harry Davis. KEITH'S BRONX STOCK. J. J. Maloney decreed Monday that the Bronx, now playing feature pic- tures, should assume a stock policy Oct. 26. Pauline Boyle, who recruits the Keith stocks, is lining up the new company at the Paul Scott office. This is the first time that this house has offered stock. LOCAL CHANGES. Richmond, Oct. 14. Arthur Berthelet has jumped from the Lucille La Verne stock at the Em- pire here to the Grayce Scott company at the Colonial as stage director. De Witt Newing, now managing the Scott Players, has also strengthened his com- pany by engaging Berthelet's wife, Leona Ball, to play ingenue roles. They open in "The Warrens of Virginia." Jack White, stage director of the Scott company, has returned to New York. THREE BENEFITS. Spokane, Oct. 14. Three benefit performances for the American Red Cross are to be given next month at the Auditorium. The women promoting them are Sarah Truax and Jane Tyrell. Permission will be asked of Margaret Anglin to use an act from "Lady Win- demere's Fan." Frank Murray, at one time manager for Lillian Russell, Jefferson De An- gelis and Delia Fox, died last week at his home in New York, aged 55 years. Arthur C. Weld, for many years musical director of the Casino or- chestra, New York, was killed in an automobile accident Sunday. Weld wrote the music for "Don Caesar's Re- turn" and was musical director of "The Student King" for Henry W. Savage. Elizabeth, N. J., Oct. 14. James A. Montgomery, of this city, died at the St. Elizabeth Hospital Oct. 12. Mr. Montgomery retired from the theatrical profession four years ago. He was a member of the original Bos- tonians and the fattier of James Mont- gomery, author of "Ready Money." Aids Overton Walker, easily the fore- most Afro-American woman stage artist, widow of George Walker of the formerly famous team of Williams and Walker, died Sunday night at her home, 107 West 132d street, New York. Mrs. Walker had been confined to her bed for about two weeks with an attack of kidney trouble. Her last appearance was at Hammerstein's in modern so- ciety dances Aug. 3. J. Herbert Frank, of the Vitagraph photoplayers, is mourning the loss of his father who died last week. Charles Sabine (Sabine and Vera), the dancer, died last Sunday at his home, 103 Stockton street, Brooklyn, after a long illness resulting from an operation. He is survived by the wid- ow, his mother and a brother, George Sabine. Mrs. Bertha Bernard, late of the Sis- ters Bernard, died of Brights disease al her late residence. 911 Spruce street. Camden, N. ]., late last week.