Variety (December 1914)

VAUDEVILLE APPLAUSE SUGGESTED PPLAUSE, to an actor, is his measure of popular approval; the lack spells for him adverse comment. (Reproduced from a-page of the Orpheum, Los Angeles, program.) "A LITTLE PERSONAL CHAT 9 -*- -^ "No applause is indifference—and nothing is worse than that, for from indifference an actor has no means of judging his effect upon his audience— and having thus no criterion, he is at a loss to know whether or not he has pleased. "To be en rapport with his audience, an actor must play on it much as does* a master on a piano keyboard. Ergo, there ^must be corresponding return of effort, in the form of sound—no pianist can get music out of a dumb instru- ment. If he play a soundless piano, how can he tell whether or not he is striking the right notes? "So it is with an actor and his audience; if he receives no response, he cannot be sure that he has pleased and awakened emotion. If his act is approved by hand-clapping and laughter or tears, he KNOWS of his effect, and if it is good, can continue; If bad, can rectify it. "Los Angeles is notable among ORPHEUM circuit houses for its indifference, in the way of applause. Not that the shows* do not please here; not that the audiences are actually not delighted with the performances—not that. But it is known as a 'hand-cuffed' city; one where applause is itintingly given, and grudgingly proffered. Why, is a problem. Perhaps it is mere thoughtlessness. But many a performer has come into the ORPHEUM here, done his level best, and walked cff, especially at a Monday matinee, 'licked' for the week. "Applause—if merited—is the actor's one mead of reward, and is an inspira- tion to him. T t means harder work on his part, better performances, and more 'pep' to the entire bill. "Tlr.nk it over." ADELE MORAW. Adele Moraw, the prominent Inter- national comedienne, has arrived in America for a limited tour of the east. Miss Moraw is probably one of the best known and original "singles" of the comic type on the other side and has repeatedly appeared before royalty by command. Her American debut will take place in one of the New York theatres at an early date. Arriving with an enviable reputation, Miss Moraw is expected to prove one of the most successful Euro- pean importations of the theatrical year. "SWEET MISS BILLIE BURKE." Atlanta, Ga., Dec. 4. Editor Variety: I am a life prisoner confined in the U. S. prison at Atlanta. I have been in prison since July 8, 1891. I have no friends (if I have they are keeping it mighty quiet) nor have I any prospects of acquiring my birthright (liberty). I have neither any reason to offer why I should be the object cf your kind indulgence any more than any other prisoner, excepting my utter state of destitution and the awful gnawing de- sire to be the Master of the Guitar, hungered as I have been for years for a good one. The one I have is enough to make a dog howl. It was cast aside by its for- mer owner. The neck is warped, the back is split and the whole thing is down and out. Now, I very humbly beg you to ask some of the stage people to look and see if they can not find one discarded but good guitar, as a Christmas present for a soul who is quite down and out, and if not will you please ask Sweet Billie Burke. I am sure she will be the Santa Claus for a life prisoner. I remain very respectfully and anx- iously awaiting Christmas and a Merry One to you all, whether or no you re- member me. Sam Moore, No. 22. Atlanta Ga., Box 1106. Hammerstein's does not intend buying his barber shop if the afterpiece gets over. The "Sully" thing, if successful, may lead Mr. Haskell into digging up some of the old afterpieces for a weekly showing right along. Loew Leaves Waterbury. Waterbury, Conn., Dec. 16. The Loew theater here is dark this week, Loew vaudeville having discon- tinued last Saturday. Poli's is the only local theatre play- ing vaudeville at present. WOMAN JUGGLER INJURED. Kansas City, Dec. 16. Mrs. Earl McClure, of McClure and Dolly, at the Empress "here last week, was severely injured in a fall on the stage Sunday night She fainted while juggling three clubs, perched on her husband's shoulders 17 feet above the stage, and fell to the floor. McClure fell with her and was slight- ly hurt. Mrs. McGure suffered serious concussion of the brain. "SULLY'S" CAST. New additions daily are being added to the cast of "Sully's Cabaret Barber Shop" at Hammerstein's next week as the holiday attraction, when the free list will be sent on tour. Other than the several comedians who may be gathered from the bill, including Sollylee, Tommy Gray has volunteered, also Bob Russak and his swell looking mob of sorg pluggers. Others are anxiously waiting for Loney Haskell to give them permis- sion to act. Loney is preparing the scenario and f ying to convince Sully, also a principal in the sketch, that LOCATING "NEMSEY AND YLLIS." San Francisco, Dec. 16. A couple who resembled the phony ad of Andrey Nemsey and Anita Yllis, printed in a trade publication a week ago, stood down at the wharf the other day waving their hands to Hugh Mcintosh in Australia. They said they had lost the Or- pheum Circuit, but heard they could get an opening on the Fox time around New York, and would break the jump by playing three days for Gus Sun at Hamilton, O. Newport, Ky., Dec. 16. A team saying they were Nemsey and Yllis walked through this town on the railroad tracks, headed for Cincinnati. They said they were on their way to pay for their advertise- ment. Chicago, Dec. 16. The older vaudeville acts are now calling the turns just breaking fn and which don't get much time "Nemsey and Yllis," to make it plain they are not there. Cincinnati, Dec. 16. Although Nemsey and Yllis were reported from Newport as on their way to this city to settle for an ad- vertisement, they have not yet ar- rived. The paper that So easily trust- ed them has asked the Federal author- ities to locate the team, along prob- ably with many other missing debtors of the same sheet. Among the sawdust fraternity this is known as "making a holler" and in other lines, it is called "the baby act," something the same paper has often practiced. An act claiming to be the original "Nemsey and Yllis" said they were stopping at the Hotel Astor up to last Saturday, when the publicity drove them out, along with an unpaid board bill. Two people composed the turn. They mentioned they were going back to Australia, as they had been well ad- vertised on this side and could get all the big paying jobs they wanted at home on the strength of the publicity over here. The act denied it had ever appeared before the Mikado of Japan without being paid for it. and threatened to sue the paper making that statement for damages, as it hurt their standing in the profession. TOMMY GRAY'S "JOKE BOOK" . ketched from memory by GENE BUCK, who alleges to have tern it on the dresser in Tommy's room at the Hotel Onondaga, Syracuse. Mr. Gray, in refutation of rhr charge, stated last week in his column in VARIETY, it was a Bible Mr. lurk hhw. The dl. <jven;r says the only thing about the book he can not positively recall is whet her the name it the bottom was "J. Rellitn" or "J. Miller." KEENBY RETURNS. Frank A. Keeney returned to New York Tuesday from a stay at French Lick Springs, Ind., and immediately arranged for his new Brooklyn theatre to open the second week in January. Keeney has negotiations under way for new booking arrangements for his houses, and up to Wednesday it looked as though an affiliation outside the Harry Shea offices would be made, with Keeney retaining the right to book without restriction. Shea's request for a contract has been declined so far. If you don't advertise In VARIETY don't advertise at all.