Variety (December 1914)

VARIETY THEATRICAL TRADE PAPER PRINTS FICTITIOUS PAGE AD Reliability of a Trade Weekly Illustrated. Also "Reading Notice" Carrying Ridiculous Statements Without Changing a Word "Nemsey and Yllis," the Advertised Act with Names Reversed Read "Yesmen and Silly." PUTTING IN TABLOIDS. Detroit, Dec. 9. It looks as if musical tabloids would take the place of the pop vaudeville. The National has put in two com- panies, comprising 44 people in all, and will continue them as long as the busi- ness holds up; this week the Columbia put in a tabloid troupe of 15 people. It is said the Palace is also think- ing of putting on tabloids. This would leave the small time vaudeville field in the hands' of the Family. The reliability of a theatrical trade weekly paper was put to the test, and became a vivid illustration of the loose methods of that particular journal, when it printed on its back page of the current week's issue a full page advertisement, a condensed reproduc- tion of which appears herewith. The name of the act advertised, "Nemsey and Yllis," spelled back- wards, reads "Yesmen and Silly." A "reading notice" which is also pub- lished on this page, appeared in the same issue of the paper carrying the fictitious advertisement. In it the ridiculous statement is made that two dancers traveled from Australia to Tokio, to give a special performance before the Mikado, and that the Mikado presented the dancers with a medal, they refusing to accept pay or transportation. The "reading notice" was printed in the trade weekly with- out the change of a word. Neither was the page advertisement published by the paper paid for, nor any deposit NEMSEY AND YLLIS IN AMERICA. Andrey Nemsey and Anita Tills, Aus- tralia's famous solcety duo, have arrived In America to play a special engagement over the Orpheum tour, starting at the Orpheum theatre, San Francisco, holiday week (December 21). This Is the first visit to these shores of this famous cou- ple, who are known as the society dan- cers In all countries across the Pacific. They have danced for Australian royalty, and, by special requests of the Mikado, went to Toklo to give Just one perform- ance before the court. Mr. Nemsey has a medal given him by the Mikado, as the two famous dancers refuSed to take any- thing but their transportation for the trip. Tt was the whole talk of Japan and Australia at the time. We know thnt after America has seen this couple they will be booked for the big Eastern vaudeville houses, too. They refer by permission to Hugh Mcintosh, of the Rlckards tour. Australia. Mr. Mc- intosh said to Mr. Nemsey as he was get- ting on the boat: "Andrey, you and Anita are going to be the biggest sensation the States has ever had as dancers," and Mr. Mcintosh Is a good Judge of a vaudeville act In any country. on it made. The letter containing the "copy" told the paper the act would make a settlement in a series of in- stallments. There is no Australian act or people by the name of Nemsey and Yllis, and there is no Australian act or any turn booked for the Orpheum Circuit that might even suggest that title. And who ever heard of "Australian Royalty"? The "frame up" for the theatrical "weakly" came about through a couple of people discussing this particular sheet. The publication had made many silly statements and indicated through them its entire policy of furnishing trade news and information was thor- oughly unreliable. To test the matter one of the men suggested a page ad- vertisement of an Ret that never ex- isted be drawn up, together with a "readinp notice" that would hear on its face the foolishness of the stave- ments made, and forward both to the trade paper. The trade paper which printed the advertisement and the "reading notice" is* the same sheet that some months ago secured a certain element to con- tribute inflammatory articles against the White Rats, and later is said to have written letters to members of the White Rats offering to pay them, if they would answer the letters. No Rat. could be found who would do so. NEIGHBORHOOD OPPOSITION. Proctor's 58th St., the Lexington Ave. opera house and the Plaza have entered into a spirited neighborhood contest to advertise their respective vaudeville. All three houses are locat- ed closely together. The Lexington Ave. opera house, in its first pop vaudeville week, last week, did a $3,000 gross. CHANGE PORTLAND'S LINEUP. Portland, Me., Dec. 9. The lineup of Keith's Portland hold- ings is undergoing revision. The Star closed Saturday night to undergo extensive repairs. It has a capacity of 1,300 persons which will be enlarged by the addition of a balcony and gallery. ~~ : After Jan. 1 Keith vaudeville will be transferred from the Bijou to the Star to make room for such legitimate at- tractions as come to the Bijou. At other times the Star will play pictures. It is probable the Keith interests will close their old Nickel theatre (pic- tures). Loew Booking Grand, New Haven. New Haven, Dec. 9. The Grand is playing pop vaude- ville. Four acts are booked in by the Loew Circuit. It has been reported the house plays Columbia burlesque com- mencing next week. ANDREY ANITA NEMSEY AND YLLIS Australia's Premier Society Dancing Duo OUfer by UCHUOH D. IMNT08H, la*. Qorvminc Dliwtor.'lUaktnl'a Ttmn) FIRST TIME IN THE STATES Beginning a tour of the Orpheum theaters at San Francisco Chiistmas (December 21st) Week Carrying special scenery and wardrobe. Agreed by press and public to be THE ACME OF TERPSICHO- REAN PERFECTNESS Introducing for the first time on any stage the up-to-date dances of Australia, including our own origination THE KANGAROO TWIST (Pirates Keep Off) Have toplined on three successive tours of the PJ'kurd time and scored phenomenal successes in India, South Africa, Japan, Manila and Honolulu. —Not a teniporary sensation, but a staple, standard, permanent success.— Communications Care Orpheum Tour, Enrouto. (P. 8. Regards to all our Australian friendn in the States.) PANTAGES BARS VARIETY. San Francisco, Dec. 9. The local Pantages' managers say Alexander Pantages has instructed his house managers to bar Variety rep- resentatives from all Pantages' the- atres. This action has been taken, it is said, through a letter appearing on the White Rats' page of Variety Nov. 27, warning vaudeville artists to assure themselves over a Pantages' contract before accepting it, owing to the in- ability of the White Rats' attorneys, O'Brien, Malevinsky & Driscoll, to se- cure service on Pantages in New York City, in the action brought by Fagan & Byron for cancellation, against the Pantages' Circuit. The New York courts held in that case the service made on Louis Pincus, the New York representative of Pantages, could not bind his principal, as Pincus was act- ing as agent only for Pantages, al- though engaged with Pantages on a weekly salary basis, and having his of- fice maintained by the Pantages Cir- cuit Alexander Pantages has not been in New York City for over two years. In other actions against the same cir- cuit, it has been necessary to forward the papers for service to the state of Washington, where Pantages resides, and the trial of the actions will have to take place in that state. The paragraph in the letter in Variety, written by O'Brien, Malevin- sky & Driscoll to the White Rats, that Pantages probably disliked, was the following: "There is' but one thing left for the performers to do, and that is to re- fuse to enter into engagements with the Pantages Circuit until they are sure that the Pantages Circuit means to give to them a contract upon which they can hold some individual or corporation, or on which they will be played." "WOMEN ONLY" SHOW. Long Branch, Dec. 9. Eva Allen, a mind reader, while play- ing at the Broadway, gave a special performance Sunday "for women only," so billed. Everything was carefully arranged to prevent the attendance of a single man, but one fellow concealed himself in the top gallery to acquaint himself with the proposition, expecting to hear some fast "inside stuff." After perilously near strangulation, not to mention the many other incon- veniences essential to his position, he underwent a tortuous period only to hear the stereotyped questions and an- swers anent the patron's connubial de- sires and Eva's ideas and "thoughts" as to what the future should bring for them. Admission was 15 cents, and the af- fair drew capacity. Sunday Closing in Kansas. Atchison, Kan., Dec. 9. James K. Busscy, R. A. Williams, Perry Rhine and Eric Rhine, theatre managers of Pittsburg, Kan., have been charged with violating the Sun- day labor law by operating their the- atres cm tlie Sabbath.