Variety (June 1915)

8 BURLESQUE »r Frederick m. moBloy It is curious that in the many events of yearly recurrence bringing together the leaders in all other spheres of stage activity, the name of an actor in bur- lesque never appears. Starting with the frequent benefits that are given for the Actors' Fund, of which scores of bur- lesque players are members, and con- tinuing down the list that includes the Lambs' Gambols, the Friars' Frolics, the Greenroom Club's Dress Rehear- sals and the various other occasions upon which professional entertainers as- semble, there is a total absence of names identified with burlesque. Opera singers, dramatic, musical comedy, vaudeville and picture players are sought for these functions to the utter exclusion of the many distinctly tal- ented men and women in burlesque. There is a reason for this and it should be discovered and overcome unless these people prefer isolation from those in all other fields of stage endeavor. Burlesque people are eligible to mem- bership in the various theatrical clubs and a large majority are abundantly able to meet the financial obligations entailed. But, for one reason or an- other, they seem to shun contact, giv- ing them distinction beyond the nar- row confines of their immediate activi- ties and furnish opportunities for ob- servation that would not fail to broaden their minds and extend and air their aspirations. People in burlesque have only themselves to blame for being ap- parently ostracized from those in other divisions of the business and for the very obvious condition that deprives them of prominence and the many benefits, both professional and social, that accrue therefrom. The plain truth is they are in a rut that leads to no- where that would be of advantage to them. This comment must not be construed as a depreciation of the abilities of bur- lesque players or as a reflection upon their fitness in any particular to mingle with their contemporaries outside their own sphere. Instead, it should be re- garded as a plea to them to come out of their self-imposed seclusion and let others than those familiar with their admirable qualifications, both as artists and as individuals, know their true' worth. There is no earthly reason why the men and women in burlesque should not receive equal recognition in all things with their fellow actors in all grades of the profession. Let a few of the leaders make a start in this di- rection and they and all the others will quickly discover that their sequestra- tion has been of their own making. Personal pride and consideration for their special craft should urge them to pull away from the obscurity that now, and always has, enveloped them. The remedy is in their own hands. And for the glory of burlesque let them ap- ply that remedy. HERK ON BOARD. There will be a special meeting of the American Burlesque Association Saturday when I. H. Herk, of Chicago, will be elected to the board of direct- ors. CHICAGO OPENING DELAYED. Chicago, June 2. The opening of the "Maid in Amer- ica" show at the Palace has been de- layed through the addition of Florence Moore to the cast. The show may open to-morrow night or perhaps not until Saturday. The present engagement of Miss Moore marks the dissolution of the vaudeville team known as Montgom- ery and Moore. The young woman has also been placed under contract by Philip Bartholomae for future produc- tions. LARGE COLORED TURN. Will Marion Cook and J. Leubrie Hill, the colored composers, are at work upon an tflea suggested by H. B. Marinelli for the formation of an elab- orate vaudeville turn, composed of col- ored people. The lay-out at present contemplates expensive costuming, with 12 chorus girls, 8 chorus boys and seven princi- pals. PARIS SOPRANO COMING. Stella Romano, from the Paris Opera, will debut in American vaudeville this month, probably at the Palace, New York. The war has prevented the fulfillment of her engagements abroad. Paul Du- rand induced the soprano to listen to vaudeville. MOSS BOOKING TABS. Ben S. Moss, directing the Moss houses, last week took a fling at the tabloid policy, splitting one between his Prospect and Jefferson theatres. The tabs booked in last week and this do not provide the whole show, the book- ing department putting in enough acts to round out the playing time of the regular program. SAYS SKETCH INFRINGES. Chicago, June 2. Local attorneys, acting for the man- agement of "On Trial," have notified the Western Vaudeville Managers' Association not to place the new Hugo Koch sketch, "After Ten Years," claim- ing it to be an infringement on the .play. JEANETTE DUPREE who will be again seen in her own musical comedy produotion next season, opening at Red Bank, N. J., Aug. 25. HIPS DRESSING ROOMS. Chicago, June 2. Chicago's augmented "hot weather league" is at it again, this time with a proposition for a new theatre in the Wilson Avenue district, made possible by the proposed changes in the "L" structure at that corner. The same outfit had a house built on several oc- casions last summer, the locations varying between Wilson and Lawrence avenues although just where an avail- able site in that vicinity could be landed is somewhat of a problem. Meanwhile the Wilson Avenue the- atre, playing W. V. M. A. vaudeville will be kept open as long as the weather permits. Likewise the Kedzie on the West Side. Both have post- poned closing from week to week and may possibly continue right through the coming month. The Logan Square will remain open all summer. To make matters of more general interest, the Great Northern Hip has built new dressing rooms, a fact that will undoubtedly be hailed by the pro- fession with a scream of joy. Indianapolis Columbia Coming Down. The Columbia, Indianapolis, will be demolished during the summer and re- placed by an office building. LIFE MEMBERS. The following are life members of the White Rata: Keoogh, Bi Ketler. Joe. Klaa, Cbas. J. Klmtlac Wrmmt Jeff . Jeha ifoee Jala* W. Levy. Lev* Lloyi. Jaa. J. Bait* Colli Joe 00! IfMSL Cora Yomag- Oopae, Jeoepa Curtis, Boarael J. Dailsjr. Beoeft L DeTrtekey, Coy DlasMBt, Mare Disk. William Dlokey, Paul Dixon. aUrlaai Dolaa, Jaa. F. Job. P. a, JeaU MoDeaala, Caaa. M. MoMaaom. Ttsi MoJf aajfrtoa. Tooi atoNolir, UUlaa alePaoe, Caeo. Melreee, Bott Moaroe, Ooo. W. Moatcomaty, Dave Doyle, Patsy Oar* Jmllaa Oooll Fagon Nooilos PaiToll, Caas. H. Bddle I*r. llBddl .Freak Halloa, Ooo. B. Marral, Blleabeta M. Nawa, Toss Niato. Proa Nolaa, Jeek •»• Nolaa, Billy Nora, Frank Pattt. (frog Partem, Oorao Prtaoa, Artia* Provol, N. Rabo, Harry Ford. JL A. Reeveo. Bulla Foyer. Sidle Rata, jaok Gardner, Happy Jaok Rosen, Will Garrla, Bdward Rooaey, Pat Oaylor. Betsy Roes, aMdlo Olbooa. J. Great Raeeell. Marie A. Great, Alt. RaeeoU, Taoo. J. (Tray, Mary Ryan, Taee, J. Oreea, Bart Beaford, Walter Brlfio, Oereld Sawyer, Joaa Grlflth, J. P. Sldaaa, Bast Ororee, Hal 81mnaoas. Dea Hellldey, William A. 8mJfk, Tom HeeealL Loa Stafford, Freak Herbert, Cbeoneoy D. Stooo, Fred A. Herman, Dr. Carl lelamaaa, Jaoob Hlgetoa, Root J. Vea, Billy B. Hughas, J. J. Vanghan. Dorothy Hume, Dlok Ward, Bap Inse, Robela Watera, W. W. Jaae, Johnny Wataoa, Joe. K. Jolaoa. Al Wooer, Jokaalo Keenan, Freak Welok, Teoe. Kelly, Harry Wlllerd. 0. B. Rally, Low Will lama, gem Bllnora Kelly, Welter O. From week to week in VAWarrr will appear the full list of life members with new additions indicated. Who will be the next one to take out a life card? AMERICAN ASS'N RULES. The producing managers of the American Association held a meeting with the directors last Friday when definite plans and regulations for the conduct of the new corporation were settled upon. It was agreed that all the produc- tions shall be new and the rule for clean shows strictly observed. Also that in routing the shows no perform- ances of the same character will follow closer than four weeks. Casts that are headed by Hebrew comedians will be kept apart and the same system will be followed with ref- erence to other shows having distinct- ly similar leading players. The producers will arrange among themselves for the selection of musical numbers in order to further promote the idea of dissimilarity in the attrac- tions routed close together. From time to time during the sum- mer other innovations will be decided upon having direct bearing on the gen- eral conduct of the Association with specific reference to box office returns. HEUCK STOCK CIRCUIT. The Heuck interests are forming a stock burlesque circuit consisting of the People's, Cincinnati; Majestic, Indianapolis; Walnut, Louisville, and the Grand, Cleveland, with a likelihood of including the Academy, Pittsburgh. The plan is to organize four com- panies each with a repertoire of three productions and alternate them, giving each show a season of fifteen weeks. The main obstacle to be overcome is the engagement of people for so brief a season besides the uncertainty of being able to secure attractions for the theatres after the burlesque shows have become exhausted. COLUMBIA'S FIGHT FILM. Late Wednesday night arrangements were made for the first public exhibi- tion of the Coffey-Flynn fight pictures as an additional extra feature of "The Behman Show" at the Columbia com- mencing next Monday afternoon. Un- der the agreement these pictures will not be shown elsewhere in Greater New York during that week. NORTHWEST ON AMERICAN. Minneapolis, St. Paul and Milwaukee will be shifted from the Columbia to the American Circuit commencing next season. The shows on the Columbia will play Chicago after Omaha with a week's lay-off between as formerly. ROUTES NEXT WEEK. The routes for the American Circuit will be given out next week. Donated Albany House for Elks. The Columbia Amusement Co. do- nated the use of the Empire, Albany, for a benefit performance given by the Elks of that city Thursday night of last week. The bill was made up of artists who were appearing at the var- ious houses, but the honors of the en- tertainment appear to have been grabbed off by "Jake" Carlin, who is the stage -anager of Proctor's theatre.