Variety (November 1914)

14 VARIETY All persons that are solicitous tor the advancement and prosperity of burlesque will hail with genuine joy the prospect that strongly indicates a sensible and distinctly desirable change in the general form of this style of entertainment. It appears to be the fixed purpose of the directors of the Columbia Amusement Co. to recommend to the separate manage- ments the introduction of an olio in their shows. The accomplishment of this cannot fail of decidedly advan- tageous results. Ever since I first became an ob- server of burlesque shows I have had a steadily growing conviction that pro- ducers of these entertainments are missing the grand opportunity in ad- hering to the two-act book idea and excluding the olio. As they stand today, a majority of these shows are unqualifiedly nondescript. Emphatic- ally they are not burlesque because they burlesque nothing. But that is not so much the point for considera- tion. The mere misapplication of a word in itself will not work any great damage, and there is no egregious in- jury committed in calling these per- formances burlesque, though not an exact definition. The main point is to make them dis- tinctive, to give them a form all their own. To accomplish this the para- mount essential is to get as far away as possible from the characteristics of musical comedy. So long as straight two-act books are used just so long will burlesque compel classification as second-rate musical comedy. Patrons of burlesque houses do not want this. They want broad comedy, rapid fire "bits'' and attractive girls in snappy musical numbers. They want tights and decollete gowns and enlivening dancing. In brief, they want effer- vescence. Insipid, long-drawn-out speeches and scenes are not wanted in burlesque houses. Variety in its literal meaning, and <iuick action sans plot constitute the basis of an attractive burlesque show. There can be no objection to a story, but it must not be involved and its points must be quickly reached without a labyrinth of pointless, wearisome verbiage. To avoid this, the safest way is to assemble enough quick- playing bits, or secure two totally dif- ferent one-act pieces. Many writers possess the faculty of putting together this sort of material while it is prac- tically impossible to procure a two-act book of sufficient merit or of adequate individuality to exactly meet the needs of a typical burlesque show. The strongest argument against the adoption of a two-act piece is the fact that known, qualified librettists work only upon a contract calling for a large cash payment in advance and a sliding scale percentage of the gross receipts. Assuming thai any one of them could BY FREDERICK M. MS CLOY write the kind of show required (which is extremely doubtful), man- agers of burlesque would not be jus- titied in paying so large a sum because the short bits or the two one-act skits perfectly serve their purposes. And they can be secured at comparatively trifling cost. The introduction of an olio to open after intermission is in itself a long step in this direction, and this should by all means be permanently estab- lished in all burlesque shows. Since it is practically impossible and really unnecessary to secure technically cor- rect burlesque, the adoption of bits or two one-act pieces, giving them all the grotesquerie possible, and the inclu- sion of an olio, would place these shows in a class of their own and give them an infinitely stronger appeal. There are several "refined" burlesque shows on the Columbia Circuit. But they are not getting the money. A few nights ago I happened to be in the company of three or four of the most widely known vaudeville booking agents, men whose business it is to select acts and arrange the bills for the leading theatres in this coun- try. The subject of new material for those houses was under discussion and it was admitted that there is little of real worth in sight to supply the much- needed fresh acts. It was suggested by one of the agents burlesque might be drawn upon -with substantial re- sults and the names of 8 or 10 bur lesque players were mentioned. Just those few and no more, and they in- cluded the rive or six exceptionally well-known stars. Curious to know if those were the only names in bur- lesque with which those agents were familiar, I mentioned no les than 20 additional actors prominently identi- fied with burlesque for several years, and was amazed to learn my com- panions could not recall having heard of any one of them. Obviously there is something wrong in the manner in which these talented men and women handle their business affairs. It is in- conceivable that with the inexpensive opportunities for self-exploitation that are at the command of professionals who have the ability to make good there should be such utter lack o* knowledge concerning them. I know a score of these people who would con- sider it an affront and a serious reflec- tion upon their standing in the profes- sion if they were told that their names were absolvrtcly unknown outside the narrow confines of burlesque. When «. manager wants to engage an artist he will invariably give preference to one with a name that is known. There is precious little profit in talent whose possessor is so obscure that the men- tion of his name to men that employ actors means absolutely nothing. And this brings me to the main point, namely, that the Anniversary Number of Variety is now in course of preparation. A name displayed in the advertising columns of that pub- lication will make it impossible for any manager to say "I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF HIM!" See the point? A curiously worded advertisement occupies a conspicuous place in the street cars. It is displayed as follows: Liquors Groceries Drugs Everything in Dry Goods. A consistent reading of this is No Liquors, No Groceries, No Drugs. But Everything, But In, But Dry Goods. How long would an ad. writer in show business last who would commit such a humorous faux pas! NO{ BUT{ MAX SPIEGEL MARRIES. Max Spiegel and Annette Claire Mark, daughter of Mitchell H. Mark, were married at the home of the bride's parents in Buffalo, Wednesday of last week. Immediately after the ceremony the bridal couple left for a two months' trip that will include the various winter resorts along the east coast of Florida, Havana and Panama. REPLACING "DAFFYDILLS." The "Transatlantics," which is one of the shows that were dropped from the Extended Circuit a couple of months ago, has been reorganized and is now in rehearsal. It will take up the time of the "Daffydills," beginning next Monday. NEWARK OPEN SUNDAYS. After New Year's the Columbia Amusement Co. theatre in Newark, N. J., will give Sunday performances. "The Gay White Way" will be the first show to get the benefit of the extra big day. WILLIAMSON RECOVERS. Frank (Bud) Williamson, who was recently operated upon in Toronto hos- pital, has recovered sufficiently to re- join his wife in this city. It is expected Mr. Williamson will resume his place in the "Ginger Girls" company at the Co- lumbia Theatre next Monday. Upon his return to New York last Saturday, Mr. Williamson received news of the death of his mother, which occurred the same day at her home in Lena, Illinois. SPLIT AT PERTH AMBOY. Traveling combinations are no long- er booked by Counihan & Shannon at the Majestic, Perth Amboy, N. J. The new policy now is a half week of pop vaudeville and burlesque shows on the Columbia extended wheel circuit. Progressive hearing opens. The hearing in the matter of the ap- plication of Dr. Geo. E. Lothrop to dis- solve the Progressive Circuit was on November 23, before Deputy Attorney General Edelson, at 299 Broadway. It lasted the greater part of the afternoon. Inasmuch as most of the proof and tes- timony would have to come from the books and papers of the Progressive Circuit and through examination of in- dividuals connected with the concern, it was arranged to have Mr. Barton ex- amined as the nrst_witness and prove the case through him. Accordingly Mr. Barton was on the stand all afternoon with the result that he was directed to produce whatever contracts, letters, cor- poration books and business books of the corporation in his possession. Dr. Lothrop's attorney went into the mat- ter very carefully. The two important matters were the investment by the Progressive Circuit of $10,000 each in the Montreal and Baltimore properties. It appeared that the Progressive Cir- cuit invested each of these sums in a corporation in which each investment was in the minority and in which it had very little, if any, representation on the board of directors or in the officers. For the investment of these sums of money the Progressive Circuit was to get stock in the corporation. But no stock has been issued to it. It has no security of any kind for this money and no papers or documents to show, except in one instance, Mr. Barton said he thinks there is a personal receipt of Mr. E. D. Stair. The Deputy Attorney General stated that he could not see how the Progressive was protected or secured and that these matters would have to be cleared up and explained. A number of other minor matters were gone into, all showing that the invest- ments were made through Mr. Barton and that he managed and financed the matter himself. The hearing was ad- journed to December 4, at 2 P. M. ROSS SNOW INJURED. Ross Snow, a comedian in the "Amer- ican Beauties" show, recently met with painful injuries. In attempting to cross the street, Mr. Snow was knocked down by an automobile and sustained a deep cut that extended seven inches across his face. He was removed to a hospital in an unconscious condition and twenty stitches were necessary to close the wound. This mishap followed closely upon Mr. Snow's retirement from the "American Beauties" on ac- count of unwillingness to stand a cut in salary. PITTSFIELD OUT. Pittsfield ) is been eliminated from the Extended and the shows will play Worcester instead. NO UPSTAIRS HOUSE. Lansing, Mich., Nov. 25. The doom of the upstairs picture show throughout Michigan has been sounded. Hereafter none will be al- lowed to operate one flight or more above street level. The state license for halls is now $20, but the ban is placed on the up- stairs exhibitions.