Variety (October 1914)

•' +? ? ' VARIETY ED. VINTON dog BUSTER' DOG BILLED AT HAMMERSTEIN'S THIS WEEK (Oct. 12), AS THE MAN WITH THE GREATEST DOG IN THE WORLD CERTAINLY LIVES UP TO HIS BILLING Direction, Colonial NMt W«*k (Oct. 19) MORRIS A FEI BOOKED SOLID VIera Geo (C) Violinsky (C) Vlning Dane Voyn Mr W Walby Louise Waldo Grace Wall Jimmy Wallace Jack (C) Wallace Vesta Wallner Carl Walls J J (C) Walters & Murray Washburn Howard Waters Bertha Weatherford T B Webb & Burns Welsh & Francis Werle Emll (C) Wirtten Mr (C) Wheeler Mrs Wheeler Elsie ( White Susie Whltheck Mrs Wilbur Grace Wlllcox George Williams Harry Willis May Wilson Eleanor Wlnrow Sam Woods B F Wright Nirk Yates Aubrey Ying Chau Chu Yoste Clifton (C) Zimmerman A HARRY RAPF PRESENTS HARRINGTON REYNOLDS, Jr. In "THE HABERDASHERY** Oct. ltth, tlst St* New York. Oct. 22nd, Proctor's, Elisabeth, N. J. Prince Paul de Clairmont Offering An Absolute Novelty In Songs and Society Dances ASSISTED BY Mrs. E. B. Alsop Address Core VARIETY, New York CORRESPONDENCE. Unlet otherwise noted, the foOowjaj reports art for the ertat week, W. REED DUMOT CHICAGO In Charge VARIETY'S CHICAGO OFFICEt MAJESTIC THEATRE BUILDING Nov. 1 Charlotte Walker will oome to Powers' in "The Better Way." Burton Holmes began his series of travel- ogues at Orchestra Hall this week. Minnie Palmer is In New York on a busi- ness trip. "The Dummy" Is billed for Powers' thea- ter, Jan. 3. Plans to open the College theatre as a producing house have been abandoned. Hal Davis, formerly with the Essanay pic- ture people, has gone back Into vaudeville. Several theaters are Issuing special stu- dents and teachers' tickets in order to boom business, with very good results. Virgil Bennett has put two big ensemble numb, rs in '•one < i i rl in a Million' and has been making numerous Improvements in the attraction. A he Cohen, well known as an advertising ?igunt, is managing the Midway, a picture house on the South Side. There is still a flicker of life at White City, for dances are given there Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Public dancing is now a feature of the (Ircrn Mill Gardens, with tango teas thrown in for good measure. Felix Rich of the Robinson Amusement Corporation has returned from a trip in the south. Jack Lnlt will go to Los Angeles soon to he present at the premier of his new play, The Bohemiiin," which Oliver Morosco will produce. . Members of the Order of Eastern Star took the entire house at Cohan's Grand to witness the performance of "Under Cover." Jenny Dufnu, formerly of the Chicago f'.rand Opera Company, gave a concert Sun- day at the Illinois theater. Charles Hagedorn. manager of the National in Detroit, was in the city last week on busi- ness. Jean Cunningham, late of "The Boarding School Girls,'' will shortly appear in a new tab called "That Poor Heiress." Special matinees In honor of Columbus day were given last Monday at the Grand, Olym- pic. Cort, Powers'. Princess and the National. Rodnev Rnnous is to have one of the prin- cipal holes in "While the City Sleeps." when It comes to the Auditorium. Frank Parry, mana- ■ no. play- in- burlesque, h >»:c • vacation tid Treasurer \V • I >- mi he hoUBe. Joe Garritv lin • > de-u .. :' ess work f'-r 'The Mldnlcb' <"i ■■■' r. i ■ I*. Percy WVadon Is here m.i"i:.r - f ♦• company. Dr. Max Thorek Is out again after being confined to his home for the past week on account of a nervous breakdown. There are rumors current that the Colonial will soon begin the two-shlft-a-day regime now In vogue at McVlcker's. The only opening of moment next week will be "Lady Windermere's Fan" at the Illinois, with Margaret Anglln In the chief role. Among the most recent to purchase bonds for the American Theatrical Hospital are Sam Bernard, Ed Lee Wrothe, Edwin Ford, James Hall and Willie Cohen. Sam Kramer, who Is known up and down the Rlalto and back again, Is now a ten percenter, with leanings toward the Affiliated Booking Company. Harry Woods (Woods-Ralton Co.) has been made manager of the Miles, Pittsburgh. Bert Renshaw Is the new manager of the Woods- Ralton company now on the road. Dollar matinees are given each week by "Today" at the Princess and "Peg o' My Heart," at the Oarrlck, with excellent finan- cial results. "Alda" will be the opening bill for the Century Opera Company at the Auditorium, Nov. 23. It Is probable that Sunday night concerts will be given during the run of the season. Sir Johnstone Forbes-Robertson revived Shaw's "Caesar and Cleopatra" at the Black- stone for the second week of his farewell ap- pearances here. George Damearel will take his new playlet, "Ordered Home," over the Interstate circuit In a week or so. Many changes have been made in the attraction. Col. Bill Thompson Is confined at Michael Reece hospital and Is booking an act or two from that haven. One of his acts (Mary Hlght) was at the Majestic this week. Housewarming week at the Old Friends' Club last week drew nearly 2.000 visitors from the theatrical, newspaper and railway colonies of Chicago. After the run of grand opera by the Cen- tury company at the Auditorium, De Wolf Hopper and company will be seen there In Gilbert A Sullivan operas. Reports from the one night stand districts still continue discouraging. It Is said that some shows have played to as little as $7, matinee, and |14 at night. The management of "Joseph and His Breth- ren" ascribes its lack of hie success to the fact that the general p iMic had uu Idea that It was a motion picture "While the City Sleep*." tV new play T>v E. E. RoHe, will be offerd »l tic Auditorium. beginning Oct. 2.1. for ».i- .. i. flt of V. -> P< r JrWs Benevolent ' "5 ' v •-! * r i'f- forri are the producer^. Ruby Norton, late of "The Belle of Bond Street," is now convalescing after a serious operation and a very serious relapse suffered last week. Henrietta Lane (Lane A Wright) underwent an operation last week. The Layor Amusement Enterprises Is a new $100,000 corporation In contemplation. Leon A. Bereznlak was In New York last week In the Interest of the company, which will produce plays In Chicago. Next Monday, the new Orpheum at Cham- paign, 111., will open. Sam Kahl, who books the house out of the "Association," will head a party from the offices on the eleventh floor, who will be present at the Inaugurating cere- monies. Earl Saunders is In charge of the new press department on the eleventh floor of the Ma- jestic theater building, where he la engaged In sending out photographs and billing matter, as well as press notices for all acts that work out of tho W. V. M. A. and the U. B. O. local office. Some of the things scheduled for the near future are: Margaret Anglin in "Lady Win- dermere's Fan," Illinois, Oct. 10: "Joel," Lit- tle theater. Oct. 20; "The Little Cafe," Illi- nois, Nov. 1 ; Harry Lauder, Auditorium, Nov. 10 and the 1014 edition of the "Follies." Illi- nois, Nov. 29. "Intelligent Playgolng" is the title of a se- ries of lectures to be given by Dr. Richard Burton of the University of Minnesota in Ful- lerton Hall. Art Institute, Oct. 17, 24, 31 and Nov. 2 for the benefit of the Drama League. The Kenwood and the Drexel motion pic- ture houses have been purchased by the May Amusement Company, owners of the Admiral and Angelus, also on the South Side. The policy of the owners will be to offer only the more pretentious pictures. The Logan Square theater fell into line for "Association" vaudeville last Sunday, opening with a six-act bill with pictures. The house will play a half dozen acts on Sunday and five during the week. The top price on Sundays is 25 cents and on week days from 10 to 20 cents. Tbe house has been running compact dramas, two shows a night, with matinees. Sam Lederer will remain as man- ager. He Is the owner of the houBe. AUDITORIUM (Bernard Ulrlch, mgr.).— John Bunny In "Funnyland" opens Saturday, Oct. 17. BLACKSTONE (Augustus Pitou. Jr., mgr.). —Sir Johnstone Forbes-Robertson in reper- toire. COHANS (Harry Ridings, mgr). "Under Cover," getting good returns. COLUMBIA (William Roche, mgr).— Charles Robinson's "Carnation Beauties.'* CORT (U. J. Herrmann, mgr.).—"A Pair of Sixes," getting good money. CROWN (A. J. Kauffman, mgr.).—"One Dav." GARRICK (John J. Garrlty, mgr.).—"Peg o' My Heart," now In Its seventeenth week. ILLINOIS (Will J. Davis. Jr.).—"The Mid- night Girl," a go >d singing company finding favor. * IMPERIAL (Joe Pilgrim, mgr.).—"Annie Laurie," a new show that is getting its share of money. LA SALLE (Joseph Bransky, mgr.).—"One Girl In a Million." still playing to very fair houses. NATIONAL (John P Barrett, mgr).— "Fine Feathers." OLYMPIC (George C. Warren, mgr.).— "Potash & Perlmutter," breaking all records for Chicago business. POWERS" (Harry J Powers, mgr.).—Sec- ond I'liiiipuiiy In "The Yellow Ticket" onened this week. PRINCESS (Sam P. Gerson. mgr). "To dav " playing to Increasing business STAR fc GARTER (Paul Roberts, mgr.).— Hen Welch and his show. VICTORIA (Howard Brolaskl. mgr). Winning of Barbara Worth." McVICKERS (J. O. Burch, mgr.; agt. Marcus Loew).—Oddly put together bill with four teams In a six-act program. To he sure, they were not all doing the same line of entertaining, but it made a rather monoto- nous showing. "The Bower of Melody" In headline place made the biggest Impression as a matter of course, for there was little opposition. The act is well staged and has hovel features. Princeton and Yale were half way down tbe bill, where they got any num- ber of laughs. John La Vler, a talking acro- bat, had a fair line of talk, which helped him quite a little In putting over his other work His foot-bold work waa the best thing he did. O'Nell and Dixon, one of the usual dress-suit teams, Bang, danced and talked In second place. Nothing remarkable about the act. Nip and Tuck, next to closing, got a great many good laughs out of their work. Morris and Parks, a singing and dancing team, had tbe closing spot. One Is In black face and the other works straight. This team has some bright chatter, pull a few real live Jokes, dance in a sprightly style and also offer a Bong or two of merit. They need a little better routine In the song line. The Monday morning audience was small at the opening of the snow, but by the time the first show closed the house was pretty well filled. Reed. LOGAN SQUARE (Sam Lederer, mgr., W. M. V. A.).—Sunday this house opened with a bill brought together hurriedly, and while it was not put together in the best manner, was acceptable and answered nearly all pur- 8oses. Fault might be found In plaolng the [ajestlc Musical Four at the close of the bill, as It Is a big, showy and elaborate mu- sical act, and In about middle place would have a much better chance. This act has a wide range, from quick changes to good mu- sic, and from comedy to more serious efforts. Smlletta Bros. A Mora opened, offering; some quick stuff, with Just enough slapstick to tickle the audience assembled Sunday. The Howard Sisters, who dress well, sing nicely and dance better were on In second place, where they did not register so well. Fields, Wlnehlll a Oreen, a rapid fire rathskeller trio, have a good routine and do some work that Is really funny, but were not received with tbe enthusiasm they really deserved. The Oee Jays really belonged In opening spot. Harry Gilbert has a splendid voice and a good stage presence. His dialect songs are put over nicely, and his personality Is a strong asset. Mr. Lederer calls his show "pop" vaudeville, and, when he gets Into the running, will be able to live up to his billing. Bert Cortelyou put on the snow. The bill was changed Monday night. GREAT NORTHERN HIP (Fred Ebertfl, mgr.; agt., W. M. V. A.).—Night shift bill ran smoothly at first show Monday nlgbt to a packed house. One of the soundest hits was made by "The Musical Conservatory." a black-face act In which the participants played on various comic instruments, as well as some bona fide ones. The act went so big, especially with the upper part of the house, that It was with some difficulty the show was allowed to proceed. Comedy offered In this act was good. The Three Falcons, who do ring work, and are fast, opened the show. Two men work straight and one has comedy. Act ends with a good comic finish. Frans Paul Llndl. In second spot, played variously on a zither and also sang songs. One of his best things waa a Oerman song of a comic nature. Carroll and Hlckey (New Acts) were on in fourth place, where they went fairly well. The Marco Twins got a lot of laughs out of their ridiculous antics. The act divided honors with "The Musical Conservatory" for fun. Lillian Watson put her songs over with neatness and dispatch. Her engaging style won her recognition at once and she had little trouble In arousing enthusiasm. She had to respond to encores and was called back for many bows. She has n good routine of songs. Eldrldges' Ponies closed the show, presenting some good tricks and showing the animals to be well trained. MAJESTIC (Lyman B. Glover, mgr.; agt., Orph.). —Mme. Yorska (New Acts) was head- liner. One of the real hits of the performance was Billy B. Van and the Beaumont Sisters In "Spooks." In which they caused a storm of laughter and got big applause. The act went over with a real rush. "Blackface" Eddie Ross, Immediately preceding, also went big. His dry humor and banjo stuff got him by nicely, and when he added whistling to bis routine he more than made good. The aerial Costas opened the show, getting many hands for their hazardous work. They per- form with celerity, wear picturesque costumes and are pleasing. Llgbtner and Jordan fitted well next, where they sang Newton Alexan- der's songs. Comfort and King In "Coontown Dlvorcons," make n fine Impression, display- ing versatility, and also comic talents of no mean order. The act registered genuinely. Mary Hlght was out of place with her stories, »s vh<> did not seem to fit Into the scheme of things, but, even at that, snatched a little victory out of what might have been a serious defeat. Stuart Barnes had to follow In the wake of the uproarious laughter engendered