Variety (July 1915)

Vol. XXXIX. No. 5. NEW YORK CITY, FRIDAY, JULY 2, 1915. PRICE 10 CENTS - "HAMMERSTEIN'S" MAY NEXT BE AT SHUBERT'S 44th ST. THEATRE Negotiations Reported Pending for Big Time Vaudeville Bills Under Hammerstein Name and U. B. O. Franchise in a Shubert Theatre, With 44th Street Favored. William Morris Interested on Booking End? Reported negotiations are afoot, it is said, for Hammerstein United Book- ing Offices—booked big time vaude- ville to be played in the 44th Street theatre, operated by the Shuberts. While the Klaw & Erlanger-Shubert settlement agreement from the "Ad- vanced Vaudeville" days stops either of the legit firms from presenting vaude- ville not secured through the U. B. O. for ten years from the date of the compact (which still has about three years to run) it would not be opera- tive it is reported against the Shuberts playing the United bills in one of their houses leased to Hammerstein. Final arrangements were made this week for a loan by the lessees of Ham- merstein's Victoria, which, in the fu- ture, will be known as the Rialto. The loan was necessary to meet the expenses for the remodeling of the building, which is now going on. It was reported on Broadway during the week William Morris might be in- terested in the booking policy of the next "Hammerstein's," if it should be located in a Shubert theatre. CHAPLIN FOR VAUDEVILLE. Three decidedly interesting questions to the picture and theatrical profes- sion proper were placed on the rack this week, when through an indirect source it became known Charlie Chap- lin could be landed for vaudeville, that he has but one more year's contract with the Essanay Co., and that regard- less of the ridiculously different sums said to be listed as his salary, he was actually drawing $72,000 for his 12 months' work with Essanay. The news leaked out through a let- ter from Chaplin's nearest friend and unofficial manager, Ivan B. Kahn, the correspondence assuming the propor- tions of an option on Chaplin's ser- vices for vaudeville, the recipient be- ing Harry Weber, who has been dick- ering with Kahn for a vaudeville tour for the picture star for the past sev- eral weeks. Several weeks ago Chap- lin was offered $25,000 for two weeks at Madison Square Garden, but his Es- sanay contract forbade his appearance. Since the summer time is the ideal period for film work, the Chicago firm decided not to release the comic star until September, when in all probabil- ity Chaplin will return to the speak- ing stage under Weber's direction, pro- vided the comedian's figure is met by the vaudeville magnates. Kahn, who is a member of the firm of Kahn-Beck & Co., a commercial firm dealing in foodstuffs, advises Weber in his letter Chaplin is now working on a six-reel feature that will keep him constantly busy for the next six weeks, but suggests that Weber make a direct offer, advising him what circuit the screen star will be em- ployed on, at the same time assuring Weber that regardless of the many other offers received, his (Weber's) would command sole attention. Weber expected to complete arrangements for a consecutive route for Chaplin this week, and while the rumor-mongers are busy denying the report, it is quite possible that the much-boosted com- edian may be enrolled on the vaude- ville books before the close of the cur- rent week. Will West, whose imitation of Char- lie Chaplin earned him considerable time and publicity around Chicago, is coming to New York to open at the Greenpoint theatre and Harlem opera house for the United Booking Offices (Continued on page 4.) 14 STATES FOR $75,000. The rights to 14 states of "The Birth of a Nation" were offered for $75,000 this week. The states are Minnesota, Iowa, S. Dakota, N. Dakota, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyom- in, Idaho, Nebraska, Kansas, Montana and Nevada. In this territory there are 865 playing points with 938 theatres and a population of 10,983,103. The offer is made for the absolute right to present the feature in these states, the buyer to take all of the earnings up to the first $100,000, after which the original producing company is to share on the profits, receiving 33 1-3 per cent. "PARADISE" AT CASINO. After intending to install their new show, "The Blue Paradise/' into the Casino July 19, the Shuberts set for- ward the opening until August 4th or the 15th, with the odds favoring the last named date. Changing of the principals has caused the postponement. Cleo May- field is having a new part written in for her while Frances Demarest is un- derstood to be leaving the Winter Gar- den show to take the former Mayfield role. The show closed Saturday night in Providence and the company was re- turned to New York. Cecil Lean will play vaudeville pending the Casino call, while several other principals were told by J. J. Shubert that they could engage in picture work for a few weeks if they desired. Keeney Wanted More Spice. Frank Keeney had almost decided to acquire a Broadway site for a pop house policy of the Keeney plan when he passed the project up upon discov- ering that the space he wanted would only permit the erection of a theatre seating 1,900. Keeney wanted a house of 2,000 or more. The site in questie^ was the prop- erty at 49th street and Broadway, con- trolled by the Barney estate. The Third Avenue theatre, held by Keeney for some years, will leave his possession Sept. 1 next when the lease he has on the premises expires. If you don't advertise in VARIETY, don't advartlM. WILLIAMS LEAVING FROHMAN? A generally credited report is that John D. Williams, long associated with the late Charles Frohman, will leave the reorganization of that manager's staff about Jan. 1. The report of Williams' departure came out through another story that he, with Madison Corey, are about to engage as an independent producing firm for next season. Mr. Corey is general manager for Henry W. Sav- age. It is understood in the matter of Corey, however, that his new connec- tion will not interfere with the occu- pancy of the Savage position. The new firm is said to have accepted a farce as the maiden producing effort. Mr, Williams was advanced in point of executive authority in the Frohman office after the manager's death. A short while ago a story was current that two or more of the best known stars under the Frohman direction might next appear upon the stage man- aged by Williams, in a combination he was expected to form for that purpose. His promotion stilled these reports for the nonce. When Mr. Frohman was the active head of his office, Williams was the press representative. WOODS 9 ROOLS ROYCL One of the Vanderbilts had a $14,000 Rools Royce car, made in England. A. H. Woods is now touring in it, having paid $9,500 for the machine. Mr. Woods has ordered his archi- tect to submit plans for the recon- struction of it. He wants two eleva- tors, a kitchenette, combination lhrtof room and running water in the out- fit. There are about three Rools Royce cars in New York. NANA STERLINO WIN8 PRIZE. Nana Sterling of Lohse and Sterling, was awarded the first prize, a gold medal, by the Physical Culture Pub- lishing Co., as the most symmetrically formed woman in the contest. Diamond Jim, Sparklers and Party. Los Angeles, June 30. "Diamond" Jim Brady is bringing his entire collection of sparklers and a party of friends to this city to take a rest.