Variety (January 1915)

12 BURLESQUE *y Frederick m. mgcloy The fact that John D. Rockefeller does not agree with a large majority of the people in burlesque on the sub- ject of newspaper publicity was dis- closed before the United States Com- mission on Industrial Relations early in the present week. The aged billion- aire's son testified that in order to keep step with the "modern policy of pub- licity" a press agent was employed at a salary of $1,000 a month. But what matters it if all the ablest and most successful men in all branches of busi- ness do believe in the value of news- papers and spend many thousands 01 dollars yearly to secure exploitation ot the kind that can be obtained only through the columns of newspapers. And then "we fellows" scratch their heads and wonder why business is bad while the other fellows are searching the world over to find places for the in- vestment of their huge profits. It frequently happens that daily newspapers in referring to the ad- vancement that is being made in the quality and worth of burlesque shows emphasize their praise with the com- ment that some of these performances deserve comparison with high-class productions of musical comedy. Also quite a number of producers of bur- lesque announce their productions as musical comedies. In the first in- stance the spirit that prompts the com- parison is sincere and well-meant com- mendation and it may be taken as a strong indication of the growing worth of these shows. The fact remains, nev- ertheless, that it is not one of the as- pirations of intelligent producers of burlesque to seek the musical comedy classification. On the contrary, all ef- forts should be directed toward avoid- ance of similarity to musical comedy and to the building up of a form of en- tertainment distinctly individual. Ac- cording to the present plans of the pro- ducers, there is a well-grounded hope that at least 70 per cent, of next sea- son's shows will have entirely new books. And since there is plenty of time between now and then to deter- mine just what shall constitute the new shows, the opportunity is at hand to so fashion them to secure to this form of amusement an individuality entirely its own. The desideratum is first- class burlesque, not second-rate mu- sical comedy. GIRLS OF THE MOULIN ROUGE. Under the title, "Girls of the Moulin Rouge," the show which opened the Columbia theatre five years ago and then called "Follies of New York and Paris," was revived at that house Mon- day of this week. It was a good show then and it is a rattling good show now, although not played so well. Aside from the changes in the cast, which are not beneficial to the perform- ance, the musical numbers are all new and it is these features that give its greatest charm. It is curious, but a fact, that a girl who figures little more than a choris- ter and who appears in the line of show girls in all the numbers, actually scores the strongest hit in the show. She is Ethel Marmott, who achieves her great success by the manner in which she handles the "Somebody Knows" song in the last act. Miss Marmott is a strikingly handsome young woman and chock-full of that desirable possession called personality. With these favor- able attributes to start with, Mis* Mar- mott, in sweet low tones and with an utter absence of self-consciousness, carries this chorus girl number so suc- cessfully as to register not less than 15 encores. It is in the manner in which she brings forward each individ- ual girl to sing a few bars of the re- frain that Miss Marmott puts the song over so effectively, rather than by any aid she receives from the girls or from the comedian who is introduced osten- sibly to help out. Another feature of the show that will be remembered when the work of the principals is forgotten was contributed by four chorus girls who do a doll dance in the first act and a whirlwind dancing specialty in the second. The finale of part one is exceedingly en- livening and it is here also the chorus work is conspicuously effective. Primrose Seamon, the soubret of the organization, Henry P. Nelson, the German comedian, and Jimmy Connors, the straight, are the only redeeming factors among the principals, although a capable little chap by the name of Arthur Conrad is seen to advantage when the opportunity offers. Miss Sea- mon sings and dances' very well and she gets plenty of well-merited ap- plause for her numbers. Mr. Connors always capable and intelligent in his many appearances at the Columbia, perfectly sustains the excellent reputa- tion gained by past performances, and Mr. P. Nelson is responsible for all the fun that may be claimed for the show. Mable Lynest meets the require- ments of the little she has to do through very agreeably leading a num- ber in the first act. Mabelle Morgan, the prima donna, seems to have tost those charms of person and of vocal- ization that were apparent in former appearances at this house, and Harry Woods, who impersonates the Hebrew, is utterly impossible as a laugh-getter. This "Moulin Rouge," in brief, is a great girl show and as such it will perfectly please the average patron of burlesque. ALL GIRLS PRESENT. A general order has been issued to all house managers on both circuits to rigidly enforce the full complement of chorus girls. The order directs that for every girl missing, the amount of her salary shall be deducted from the company's share and sent to the Actors' Fund. Toots Displeased. Toots Paka billed as added feature with "The College Girls" at the Casino, PhiladelfJhia, this week refused to open on account of the dressing room as- signed her by William Vail, manager of the theatre. This will not disturb the contract re- cently entered into with the dancer to appear for four more weeks as extra attraction beginning at the Star, Brook- lyn, next Monday. CARTER'S COAST WHEEL San Francisco, Jan. 27. The formation of the Pacific Coast Burlesque Wheel is being sponsored by Monte Carter whose success as a pop priced musical comedy producer has been remarkable during the past year. Carter and associates will attempt to control and supply 40 coast theatres with pop burlesque, produced under his personal direction. The Wheel's headquarters will be here, but if the present plans material- ize its houses will reach as far north as Portland, south to San Diego and eastward to Salt Lake. The new concern claims to have six- teen houses lined up now and substan- tial encouragement that many more will enter the wheeL A license has been secured to carry on a general booking business. The staff will comprise Robt. Fargo, gen- eral manager; Leo Pam, booking agent; £ A. Homan, treasurer, and Jos. Carter, secretary. WILKESBARRE EXTENDED. Wilkesbarre opened as an Extended Circuit house Monday of this week to capacity both afternoon and night. "The Gay Morning Glories" was the attraction. MEEHAN AND PEARL'S 10TH. Billy Meehan and Violet Pearl have joined Sam Howe's "Heart Charmers'* and their whirlwind dancing is being announced as a feature of the show. This team celebrated their 10th mar- riage anniversary in Cincinnati this week, the same city in which the cere- mony was performed. Shortstop Dancing Teacher. Manchester, N. H., Jan. 27. Walter (Rabbit) Maranville, Boston Braves' shortstop, was inserted in the "Girls from Joyland" (Sim Williams) show the first three days here and capacity business resulted. Manager Danny Mack had Maran- ville do "The Shortstop Glide" in ad- dition to his songs and invited the women up after each performance to take lessons from the Rabbit. Maran- ville will also be used as a "card" at Worcester the last half. Like Scissors, Only More So. Gretta Skelly, a member of Dixon's "Big Revue," is getting considerable attention in the newspapers through- out the country for the eccentric char- acter work she is doing in the show. The Ft. Wayne Journal-Gazette re- cently referred to Miss Skelly as the "long-geared attenuated comic whose unbelievable length and complete ab- sence of girth of limb are made the basis for some exceedingly laughable comedy effects. She is built like a pair of scissors, only more so." Burkhardt Vice Howe. Charles Howe has retired from "The Heart Charmers" and has been suc- ceeded by Charles Burkhardt. EMPIRE, PHILLY, OUT. There are very strong indications that the Empire, Philadelphia, will be permanently withdrawn from the Co- lumbia Main Circuit Feb. 6. "BROKE" AND UNASHAMED. Pittsburgh, Jan. 27. The "Live Wire Girls" played an en- gagement in Central Station Saturday night. About 20 members appeared before Captain Mackrell and petitioned him to arrest Manager Armstrong be- cause they feared he would slip out of Pittsburgh without paying them. The show came from Vandergrift, Pa., and the members thought they were booked for Uniontown. When they learned the date had been can- celed, trouble began. They called on the manager of the Colonial Hotel, but he was not there. Finally he was lo- cated in Union depot and brought him to »Le station. Armstrong told the police he, too, was "broke, but not ashamed of it." He showed dates ahead which looked good and when borrowing some money from a local theatrical man and start- ing the company off to Kittanning and Butler, he was released. ALL FIXED. The differences existing between the Columbia Amusement Co. and Hyde & Behman have been amicably adjusted and arrangements originally entered into which include long term leases on the Star and the Gayety, Brooklyn, and the agreement covering Pittsburgh and Chicago will be adhered to. "P. & P." STANDARD MARK. The A. H. Woods company of "Pot- ash & Perlmutter" (William McDow- ell, Mgr.) drew $9,444 at the Standard theatre last week, eclipsing the other high records the Woods shows had made at the same house. CLOTHESI Ida Bayton, leading woman of "The Taxi Girls," refused to go on at the Victoria, Pittsburgh, Wednesday after- noon. The very logical reason was given that another principal woman of the organization had provided herself with a costume of similar color to one worn by Miss Bayton. Mollie Williams Signed. Mollie Williams has been engaged by Jake Goldenberg as added attrac- tion with "The Gay New Yorkers" for the remainder of the season. Miss Williams left for Chicago Tuesday and will open with the show at the Im- perial, St. Louis, this Sunday when that house permanently takes its place on the Columbia Main Circuit. Change in "Bowerys." Charles Jansen has replaced Sam Micals with "The Bowery Burlesquers." Morris-Proctor Suit On. The suit against F. F. Proctor, brought by William Morris, was ex- pected to reach trial in the Supreme Court this week. Morris is suing to recover an alleged share of losses in "Wonderland" (New York theatre) he alleges Proctor is liable for. The amount involved is around $35,000.