Variety (April 1915)

12 B \J J\^ L£S Q U E R y Frederick m. mcCloy Reference to the newt itory printed elsewhere in this Vakibtt covering the proceedings of the convention of bur- lesque managers held in the Hotel As- tor, will convey to those interested in- formation of the plans that have been formulated for the future conduct of Columbia burlesque. The keynote of the discussions was clean and new shows. The consensus of opinion expressed by the leaders was that the cause of depression in burlesque business during the season now drawing to a close was due to laxity in enforcing the rule that calls for the elimination of indecent per- formances, and to failure upon the part of producers to provide new material. In eradicating the first of these evils it is not necessary to cast common sense into the balance with prudery. The application of ordinary intelligence is all that is necessary to construct a show so that it will be unmistakably within the line of decency. Opinions may differ as to the per- missability of certain things in stage performances. My contention is that whatever is accepted as unobjection- able in a Winter Garden show or a Ziegfeld show, for instance, cannot be objected to if introduced in a burlesque show just because it is burlesque. As President Mack has frequently put it, "We do not want a Sunday school en- tertainment. Our patrons demand lively, snappy, quick-moving comedy, enjoyable music and dancing and pretty girls gaily dressed in costumes de- signed in accordance with the equip- ment of present day productions of musical comedies and revues. 'Gean burlesque* does not mean straight- laced inanity." Taking this as a succinct outline of procedure, it should not be difficult to construct a show that will meet every requirement. As to the other neces- sary corrective—new shows—there can be but one conclusion reached. A producer Is capable of assembling new material or he is not, and if he is in- capable he should not be employed. Discussing this subject with one of the managers a few days ago I was amazed when he took the wholly untenable ground it was impossible to put to- gether 70 new burlesque shows. My reply was that he was not called upon to create 70 productions, and that the formation of one new, attractive show was all that need engage his attention. The trouble with many of the pro- ducers is that they are not industrious or are lacking in creative ability, or both. And such "producers" must be thrown into the discard before this season's distressing conditions shall have been overcome. The convention was an important move in the right direction and it is to be hoped that its results may fully real- ize its purposes. The Columbia Amusement Co. has pledged its word to the theatre-going public that all of its shows shall be clean and worthy from now on. and if there is' any de- fault in this it will mean important control or lack of courage to apply equally drastic regulations to all pro- ducers and players, regardless of prom- inence or affiliation. REDUCING SAMENESS. Company managers will hereafter be required to register new titles with the Columbia Co. directors in order to avoid similarity. It has been decided all songs selected for use must be sub- mitted to the main office and allot- ments made to avert the introduction of the same songs in shows that follow one another within a stated number of weeks. A plan is also being worked out by which shows featuring the same type of comedians, such as the Hebrew and the German and so on, will be kept as far apart as* possible when the routes are given out for next season. The intention is to create variety in the shows and reduce sameness to a minimum. OBERWORTH'S CANCELED. The Columbia Amusement Co. has canceled Louis Oberworth's franchise, under which "The Gay Widows" has been operated this season, to take effect April 15. Mr. Oberworth failed to comply with an imperative order t » improve his show. It will nol be nec- essary to substitute another attraction for the remainder of the season owing to the fact that the Ft. Wayne house will be closed until next fall. In con- sequence of this all the shows on the Extended will be jumped one week ahead. LETTER A JOKE. The joke of the week in burlesque is a letter sent out from Pittsburgh by a more or less well informed individ- ual of the name of J. C. Pearson. He is engaged in the wholly chimerical pursuit of forming a new burlesque cir- cuit and he has written to house man- agers employed by the Columbia Amusement Co. in the conduct of theatres owned or leased by that cor- poration, inviting their co-operation in his undertaking. DEATH WRONGLY REPORTED. Saturday a New York daily printed a notice stating that Charles Robinson of the Carnation Beauties was dead. When the Journal office was communi- cated with it was stated the informa- tion had been received in the regular course of correspondence, whereupon President Mack of the Columbia Amusement Co., called Baltimore by long distance and learned that Mr. Robinson was at that moment at work on the stage of the Gayety Theatre. ''LONDON BELLES" CLOSING. "The London Belles" will close the season in Omaha, April 17, and the re- mainder 'of the tour, which will have six weeks to run, will be played by "Zallah's Own Show" now on the Ex- tended. Joe Hurtig Leases Franchise. Joe Hurtig has leased the Gus Hill franchise under which Marion's "Dreamland Burlesquers" has been operated this season. GYPSY MAIDS. With a cast far above the average, and a scenic and costume equipment notable for its prodigality and beauty, James £. Cooper's "Gypsy Maids" scored an exceptionally strong hit at the Columbia Monday night. The book, written by Mr. Cooper and Tom McRae, tells an interesting, well con- nected story, the thread of which is never lost, even upon the many occa- sions when it is departed from for the introduction of a bright bit. The main point of it all is that there is an absence of conventionalism throughout the entire performance. Messrs. Cooper and McRae have ap- parently struck an idea that will prove of great value to them if they follow it up. The character of "Smoke," with which Mr. McRae has been so long identified, and which he has made dis- tinctly his own, is in this instance made a part of a gypsy entourage which gives a new twist to Mr. McRae's work and at the same time admits of a complete change from the atmosphere in which he has always heretofore ap- peared. It is the same idea that was adhered to by the Rogers Brothers and that enabled those comedians' to maintain their stage individuality in their annual completely new produc- tions. "The Rogers Brothers in Panama," "The Rogers Brothers in Central Park," and so on, maintained a trade-mark without disturbing the an- nouncement of a new show, and Mr. Cooper's adoption of the same method in exploiting McRae, starting with his present "Smoke Among the Gypsies" as the first of a series, would be unique in burlesque and of undoubted pro- longed value to the Cooper manage- ment. McRae is intensely funny all through this new show and emphasizes his right to a place among burlesque's most worthy stars. While Mr. McRae cannot claim distinction as a vocalist, he does everything else that consti- tutes the genuinely capable comedian and it is all exceptionally well done. Jennie Ross, the soubret, has come to the front rapidly in the past two seasons and may now be said to com- pare favorably with the best in her line of work on the burlesque stage. Miss Ross is a remarkably skilful danc- er and she is possessed of a super- abundance of vivacity never failing in its strong appeal. Al Bruce gives his unique German characterization with wholly satisfactory results, and Si Jenks contributes a "rube" constable that is a gem among the many cor- icsponding types that have been seen at the Columbia. Murray Harris, the straight, is exceptionally competent in a part that gives him perfect oppor- tunities for the display of acting abil- ities of a high order. Mr. Harris is a good-looking chap and possesses an unusual degree of that quality called "class." Others in the cast who render ex- cellent service are Belle Mallette, Fan- nie St. Claire, Lottie Blackford and Jim C. Dixon. The Moscow Duo in- troduce a Russian dancing specialty that merits special praise. There is a chorus of capable, attrac- tive girls whose work reflects great credit upon Raymond Perez in putting on the musical numbers. WELCH VIOLATES FRANCHISE. Last week, Ben Welch and several members of the company bearing his name, appeared at Hammerstein's Vic- toria in an act that was announced as a "Nut Revue." The circumstance coming to the attention of the board of directors of the Columbia Amuse- ment Co., the following letter was sent to Rud K. Hynicka, owner of the Welch show: New York, April 2, 1915. Mr. Rud K. Hynicka, Dear Sir: We are advised that Mr. Ben Welch and certain of the members of his burlesque company are this week giving performances at Ham- merstein's Victoria theatre in this city, which performances, to a great extent, are the identical perform- ances given by him and his com- pany in the show owned by you, known as "Ben Welch Burlesquers," and booked by us in accordance with the terms of a franchise granted to you. Your attention is called to that portion of said franchise wherein you covenant and agree "with the said Columbia Amusement Company that said show hereinbefore named shall not be produced at any theatre other than those owned, operated and controlled by the said Columbia Amusement Company, without the written consent of said Columbia Amusement Company first had and obtained"; also that portion wherein you agree "that said Columbia Amusement Company shall have the right to annul, cancel and terminate the said franchise in the event of any default on his part in the per- formance of any of the terms and conditions hereof." It must be apparent to you that the giving of performances by any Columbia Amusement Company bur- lesque show at any theatre other than a Columbia Amusement Com- pany house without our written con- sent is a clear violation of the fran- chise agreement, and such violation gives the company the power to im- mediately annul, cancel and terminate the franchise. In view of your frank explanation that the performance referred to was not sanctioned by you, nor was orig- inally intended to be so given when the turn was booked for the theatre indicated, and that you will take im- mediate steps to see that they are discontinued, the company will not exercise its right granted to it to cancel your franchise. But, if any such violation again occurs, the com- pany will immediately avail itself of the rights given to it in its franchise. By order of the Board of Directors. (Signed) J. HERBERT MACK, President. A copy of this communication has Veen sent to all holders of Columbia Amusement Co. franchises in order that there shall be no repetitions of similar violations. Although Mr. Hy- nicka was unaware of the offense until his attention was called to it by the directors, he was held responsible and ptomptly acknowledged the justness of the board's action