Variety (December 1914)

VARIETY 29 PARKS—THEN AND NOW By George Goett (Mr, Goett is general manager for the John W, Gorman Park Circuit which controls eighteen summjer parks.) Park devotees are cognizant there has been a great change in park con- ditions throughout the United States, and particularly the New England country. For the past two years the parks have had the shortest seasons in any previous span of park years and it was wholly due to bad weather. With the Weather Man against the parks—and he has been a busy actor even west of the Mississippi, and also made his hand felt in the middle west, particu- Our Name, is JACK and FORIS NOVELTY-COMEDY-ORIGINAL At present on Orpheum Circuit. Exclusive Manager, PAUL DURAND. larly Ohio, Indiana and Illinois—there was the inevitable result, no business. The park weather up to July 1 was "winter weather." And following it came long, uninterrupted rainy spells which weakened the heart of the strongest park manager and enveloped him in a foggy grouch that did not disappear with the arrival of a nice sunshiny period. Looking over the books of the park departments one can readily be shown where in 14 weeks last season there were only (average) three clear days out of every seven. That weather record is sufficient to knock any park manager's plan sky high. Last season park managers lost money. The biggest alibi was the weather. Admitting that the elements whanged away disastrously at the park receipts it is also true the park busi- ness has fallen off from 40 to 60 per cent, in the past five years, a state of affairs that has come through the pic- ture houses running full blast winter and summer and because when it comes time for the parks to open, the masses haven't any more dimes to spare on street car rides and park con- cessions. With the bad weather the biggest discouragement and park business slumping gradually from year to year, it doesn't look any too promising for the park men in future years. Just imagine operating parks for a six weeks' season where heretofore one of 16 was generally the rule. Last season the time started about July 15 and was through by Sept. 1. In other years the seasons ran anyway from Memorial Day to Sept. 7. Bad weather always hits the parks having lakes and swimming beaches. If it's nice there are big returns from the launches, rowboats and water at- tractions. If it is warm and balmy the water gets them in droves. At Revere Beach, for instance, last summer the bathing receipts were 50 per cent. less. The winter cabaret shows and danc- ing halls galore have eased up the summer demand for dancing and as a consequence the park dance hall at- tendance has suffered. The roller skating pavilion is no longer the big novelty and despite many alluring at- tractions, prizes, etc., the popularity for the rollers has waned from a park standpoint. With the weather off and counter- attractions stronger than eyer the park managers have not retrenched nor re- duced running expenses. It has been just the reverse, expenses have in- creased, there have been more free amusements attached at an additional expense, the cost of park theatre pro- ductions has gone up and in the dance halls there has been from three to five men added to the orchestras. Added to this is the advertising. Here the billboards, newspapers and hand bills are to be considered, not to mention the numerous novelties that must be devised to attract. This coming summer may see a big change. Park men always hope but if there is any repetition of last year, even the most intrepid, fearless park manager will not have the heart to open up for many moons afterward. A WIDE ACQUAINTANCE. "Well, yes, I reckon that you might say, I'm well acquainted along Broadway; I'm an Intimate friend of Billy Brady And old John Drew, Joe Weber, too. And many another famous laddie. I've shaken tabasco With Dave Belasco And other showmen Like Charlie Prohman; George M. Cohan and all his bunch I frequently meet at the Lamb's for lunch, And Davie Warfleld's my bosom friend And many an hour in talk we spend. And as for the actresses—on the square Take it from me. Old Top, I'm there; I hate to brag, but I'm all the rage With the stellar ladles upon the stage; Excuse me now, but I've got to hustle I've a call to make on Lillian Russell, And Mary Ryan's expecting me And I must look in on Orace George for tea, These social engagements make one fly. So I must be trotting along—good bye!" Then he bustled off to his lonely room And sat and sulked In the deepest gloom And said to himself, with a troubled frown, "I wish there was someone I kn> w In t f) wii ■ Ptrtnn Jiruley. MIDDLE WEST ONE N1GHTERS. Chicago, Dec 23. Peculiar conditions have prevailed in the one-night-stand regions of the middle west. There has been much weeping and wailing and gnashing of the teeth in some quarters, and some little satisfaction expressed in other directions. James W. Wingfield, at the head of the Central States cir- cuit, who has his finger on the pulse of conditions, says that the season has been one of the worst in some re- spects in many years. In other ways it has been fairly good. He explains that it is the old story of good attrac- tions. The meritorious ones have done well, and the mediocre and the had ones have suffered. Shows with standard stars have ob- tained receipts about equal to last year. Melodramas have fallen flat and have not fared at all. Mr. Wingfield is of the opinion that the people are get- ting enough melodrama in pictures, and want something different when they go to the high priced theatre. Musical comedies have done especially well, with recognized names, or shows t» at have been extensively advertised in New York and Chicago before they hit the tall grass trails. One oddity is that towns which were good last season are not this year. Factory towns, usually good for almost any old show, have been poor, as the people have not been working, but those towns situated in the large farming districts have been surpris- ingly good. Chicago sent out from 30 to 40 pieces to play contiguous territory. A major- ity of these have come in. The sup- ply has been shows with big stars and the small Chicago show. Chicago shows, with the exception of "Septem- ber Morn" and "One Girl in a Mil- lion," have not fared well. These two, however, have been doing more than Satisfactory business. Such stars as Billie Burke, Raymond Hitchcock and others have done nor- mal business. "The Prince of Pilsen," old as the hills, has been one of the big surprises. Repertoire companies have also found favor. A better line of attractions has been booked for January and February of this year than in many seasons. Mcln- tyre and Heath, "High Jinks," "The Firefly," David Warfield, "Under Cover," "The Candy Shop" and the like, have been scheduled. Mr. Wingfield attributes what slump there has been in business to the war in Europe and to weather conditions. The early fall was as hot as summer and the later weeks have been open. There is a slight trend upward, with indications of much more satis- factory results with the new year. Women in burlesque are changing. The favorites for years are living, but not playing. It's giving the young people a chance. The lights of Broadway still blaze while many of the shows are only flickering. THE THEATRICAL HOSPITAL BY DR. MAX THOREK. (Surgeon-in-Chief American Hospital, Chicago.) A year of strenuous effort in behalf of the first theatrical hospital in the world has quickly rolled by. A great deal has been accomplished. Scores of players have left, I am proud to say, with blessings upon their lips. Those who are blessed with worldly goods may get good physicians, proper nursing and desired environment any- where. But, how about the performer who is "down and out?" How about, the stranded chorus girl? And, how about the theatrical man generally, whom reverses have put against the wall and has sickness added to his miseries? These are questions that should con- cern every man and woman through whose veins courses red blood nurtured by the milk of human kindness. A hos- pital where players when indigent, may receive humane care and skillful atten- tion is a necessity and should receive the undivided support of every one con- nected with the amusement world. I have inaugurated a plan whereby my dreams seem nearer realization as the days roll by. The men who compose our Board and who have shown their willingness to co-operate, bringing this essential enterprise to a successful is- sue, are men of integrity, men of expe- rience whose motives are as pure as they are free from any taint of selfish- ness. We have the grounds for the new building, we have several thousand dol- lars deposited with the Chicago Title and Trust Company, we have a splendid staff of co-workers and we ask the co- operation of all those whose sympathies must be with a cause so worthy and humane. In the last four years in the neigh- borhood of four thousand cases were treated at the American Hospital and more than an equal number of am- bulatory cases taken care of by my- self and associates, and if we reflect that it would take only five thousand persons to purchase a hospital bond for ten dollars ($10) apiece to enable us to start the building this very day, one often wonders about the appar- ent tardiness. Yet, there are extenu- ating circumstances. The hard times, the lack of proper publicity and the previous obstacles all play a role. These, however, are being overcome gradually, one by one. Those whose means do not permit them to add much to the cause, should add little. There is a satisfaction in doing good, and in this movement theatrical people can do no better than to show the spirit and enthusiasm which it so richly deserves. Many a salary this season has been left with the manager as an invest- ment "Cut acts" are figuring upon a double loss, the difference between what they expected and what they got. Last year's wardrobe has looked like a reserve fund this season. Dancers are easily satisfied. Maybe t*v«? is the reason dancing became so :-■ ilar. Professional dancers live for the joy of working. Dancing is their only pleasure.