Variety (April 1915)

VAUDEVILLE ONE CENT SHOW TAX EXACTED IF MONTREAL ADOPTS MEASURE Canadian City in Common Council Bill Would Impose Penny Tax Upon Each Admission—Theatres Exempt But Public Pays—Money Accrued Would Go to Hospitals There. Montreal, March 31. It is accepted by local theatre mana- gers that the proposed Common Coun- cil bill, to impose a tax of one cent upon every theatre ticket or admission sold for Montreal entertainment, will become an ordinance. The only paints left for the Commit- tee on Legislation, which has the bill in charge, is to fix the manner in w.iich the tax is to be collected from the pub- lic. The Council has made it clear this tax is upon the public and not the theatres. It is for the benefit of ihe Montreal hospitals. The city expects to realize $300,000 annually from it Theatrical men say $100,000 is a con- servative figure. At the last meeting of the Legisla- tion Committee, Dominion Park was represented. A statement was made that during the 16 weeks *he park was open last summer 1,400,000 admissions were sold. These may hive included admissions sold for the Park's inside concessions. IN AND OUT. Gus Edwards' "Song Revue" did not open at Keith's, Toledo, Monday. Mr. Edwards caught a heavy cold, pre- venting his personal appearance. Har- rison Brockbank and Co., and Chas. Kellogg, were added to the Toledo program. The Great Leon was out of the Hud- son, Union Hill, N. J., bill Monday. The Australian Woodchoppers got the spot for the week. The Three Hickey Brothers did not open^Monday at Poli's, Bridgeport. A difference of opinion over salary brought about a cancellation Saturday. When Mme. Calve left the Keith's, Washington, program Wednesday of last week, through vocal difficulty, Nora Bayes went to Washington in the diva's place. Miss Bayes opened Thursday. Friday Calve sent word to the management she could resume, and re-entered the bill, the house also hold- ing Miss Bayes, giving the theatre a turnaway at each performance for the remainder of the week. Grace De Mar did not open at Keith's. Boston, Monday. She objected to her billing and dressing room. Dooley and Rugel were forced to can- cel this week at Springfield and South Rend. Tnd.. George Austin Moore and Cordelia Haager taking their place. In- juries caused Dooley and Rugel to cancel. The Gordon Brothers and Kangaroo cancelled this week in Galesburg and Peoria, 111., Princess Kalima replacing. Moore and Littlefield refused to go on at the Majestic, Chicago, this week because of the billing. The spot wa3 left open for the week. The DeLong Trio, a trio doing the Milton and DeLong Sisters old act, "Alfalfa Junction," were closed at the Great Northern Hip, Chicago, after the first show Monday. Madam Marion was summoned to fill the vacancy. Marie Dorr fainted on the stage at the Royal Monday night before com- pleting her specialty. She was assisted to her dressing room by the card boys and advised by her physician to retire from the bill. Josephine Davis re- placed her. Maggie Cline left the Royal bill Monday suffering from hoarseness. She was replaced by Lydia-Barry. BERNHARDT WONT COME. Paris, March 19. All the talk regarding Sarah Bern- hardt making another American tour is most likely a waste of breath, as it is extremely unlikely Bernhardt at her age, 71, and after the serious operation she successfully passed through lately, will ever attempt another journey to your side. The madame received over 50 wires from America. One was from Martin Beck, of 300 words, offering her a re- turn trip over the Orpheum Circuit. Bernhardt has also received innumer- able wires from London managers. It is possible she will appear there in the future, playing at the Coliseum. Bernhardt has pledged her word to Os- wald Stoll to appear at the Stoll house upon her next London v'sit. TWO OUT NEXT SEASON. The Academy, Norfolk, and Bijou, Richmond, now playing a split week in vaudeville, will have burlesque next season. An arrangement to that effect has been reached with the theatres and the Columbia Amusement Co. The houses have been playing big time shows this season, booked by Harry Mundorf in the United Booking Offices. TANK BURSTS ON STAGE. Chicago, March 31. The tank used in the act called Nep- tune's Nymphs, burst last Friday night at the Majestic, Cedar Rapids, while the Nymphs were performing their specialty, driving the entire audience into the street to escape an impromptu bath. One woman was injured dur- ing the ensemble exit, while the ma- jority of acts on the program suffered the loss of wardrobe. Vic Hugo, who owns the theater, was out of town when the accident happened. OFFERS FOR CHAPLIN. Chicago, March 31. Vaudeville offers are said to have been made to Charlie Chaplin, the film comedian. He is now on die Coast with the Essanay film stock companies. Chaplin has appeared in vaudeville over here as "the drunk" in Karno's "Night in an English Music Hall." He followed Billie Reeves in the role on this side, as he did also in England, where Reeves created the character, Chaplin playing in one of the pfovin- v ial companies Karno sent out. Various reports of Chaplir's weekly salary in pictures have placed the amount from $550 to $1,500. The for- mer appears to be the accepted figure by picture men. He start-d with the Keystcne at $150 a week for 52 uecks i year, and was raised to $250, with a further increase before signing with the Essanay. AGENT UNDER SUSPICION. An agent in the United Booking Of- fices, booking upstairs and down, is said to have fallen under suspicion through his "open time sheet" finding its way to a circuit agency, where it should not have been. Somehow this sheet, it is said, was returned to the United, with the in- formation where it had been located. The agent was expected to be called upon for an explanation during the week. HAMMERSTEIN RECEIVER. The affairs of Oscar Hammerstein were placed in the hands of a receiver Tuesday. This was done at the man- ager's own request because of his present physical condition. He under- went a serious operation several weeks ago and is at present confined to his apartment over the Victoria. Judge Hough granted the petition and ap- pointed Irving M. Dittenhoefer re- ceiver. House, Grossman & Vorhaus, at- torneys for Mr. Hammerstein, issued a statement to the effect his assets were more than sufficient to pay all that he owes. His unsecured liabilities are about $100,000. and his assets worth about a half million, they said. To mark the season's closing for Hammerstein^ Victoria theatre, "Willie Hammerstein Week" may start there April 26. It will have a program of vaudeville turns- recruited as far as possible from among those the late William Ham- merstein expressed a preference for. It is expected commencing May 3 repairs will be started upon Hammer- si ein's which will keep the house and roof closed until about August 15. ANOTHER LOEWS BROOKLYN. The Marcus Loew Circuit has secured the new Palace theatre, seating 1,900. in East New York (Brooklyn), and will open it with the customary Loew vaude- \ille policy. The Palace makes the twenty-second Loew theatre in Greater New York. If you don't odvortlM In VARIETY, doa't odT«rtlM. THE COMEDY CLUB BALL The annual ball of the Comedy Clut will take place Wednesday night (April 7) at Terrace Garden. This will be the first social gathering of the newly formed club, which has made exceed- ingly rapid progress since organized last year. The wonderful success achieved by the Comedy Club several weeks ago, ot which occasion a benefit performanct was given at the Astor theatre, hat led the membership to realize they are fully capable 'to successfully promote a so- cial affair. Many surprise features are announced lor the ball. The grand march will be staged by Ned Wayburn. This will include many novelties. The greatest no doubt will be the leaders of the march, of which there will be ten couples, representing every branch of the theatrical profession. A special souvenir program will be issued by the club and a general in- vitation has been sent to all of the members of the daily press in New York to attend. GARDEN REHEARSALS CALLED. The first chorus rehearsal call for the new Winter Garden production was is- sued for Tuesday of this week. "Maid in America/' the present at- traction at the Garden, lost its prima donna, Maud Lambert, last Saturday. Melville Stewart goes into the Gar- den next Monday in place of Charles J. Ross. Luperie Hill, the composer, has been signed by the Shuberts to write all of the syncopated numbers for the new Winter Garden show. He played over a number of melodies for the firm Tues- day. Hill may go to London in the summer, to write the music for the fall revue at the Hippodrome. Chicago, March 31. Irene Franklin has been offered an engagement with the present show at the Winter Garden. OPPOSITION! Chicago, March 31. The Western Vaudeville Managers' Association has taken a firm stand in regards to playing acts appearing at the Franklin, Saginaw. Rose and Ellis. though forgiven by the Butterfield Cir- cuit for playing that opposition house, were refused booking by the other cir- cuits in the Association this week on that account. Maud Tiffany was wanted this week by Decatur which is her home town. The Association however refused to book her there because she played the Loew house in Springfield. KELLERMAN SHOW CLOSED. Toledo, March 31. The Model Girl," in which Annette Kellerman was starring, ended its tour here Saturday. The company left for New York Sunday via the Lehigh Val- ley R. R. WELLS OPENING MACON. Macon, Ga., March 31. The Grand here has been taken over by Jake Wells, who will play vaude- ville in the house. Harry Bernstein, formerly at Lynchburg, is the manager.