Variety (August 1915)

VARIETY CABARETS , ! Woodmansten Inn, on Pelham Park- way, has been so rapidly advanced into the leading line of. all New York's road houses by Dan Caslar, since he lately assumed charge of the place, that plans are now in formulation to make the inn attractive enough in cold weather for it to become a mecca for the roadsters the year around. A Vene- tian Garden effect has been nicely ob- tained surrounding the front of Wood- mansten through a pagoda structure finished off in marble. This overlooks a small plain bounded by trees and foliage. In the midst of the plain, Mr. Caslar has about decided to con- struct an artificial ice rink, where, in the open during the winter, the Inn's patrons may skate to their heart's con- tent in the day or by electric light. Another feature of Wood man sten Inn this summer is Bert Wright, a 17-year-old boy, who bills himself as "The King of Cigar Pluggers." The kid is about the wisest youth in the world for his age. He is the cigar boy of the Inn. One of his side lines is matching customers doubk or noth- ing for merchandise sold, Bert agree- ing to guess the date of any silver coin within two years, by looking at the reverse side, or allow his goods to pass to the customers gratis. His system of guessing is through seeing the gen- eral aspect of the coin, although with quarters he depends more upon the condition of the rim, and has been known to guess the exact date of five quarters in succession, running in dates from the '90s to the '00s and '91s. The boy earns probably from $10 to $15 nightly on "good nights." Many of the people who often visit Woodmansten frame up on him through polishing the coins, but if everything else fails, Bert pulls them with a million-dollar smile he owns. Lee Shubert is trying to convince Frederic Edward McKay that he should manage the 44th Street Roof for the coming season. Of course, as manager of the Roof, Mr. McKay would add something of class to the establish- ment, for he is well known in social circles both on "the Avenue" and on Broadway, and perhaps could put on a revue there that would attract atten- tion. During the past season the 44th Street had a couple of revues but they were unsuccessful. Mr. McKay is in association with Klaw & Erlanger in the Kem Corporation and just how this fact would affect his making an affilia- tion with the Shuberts is a question. Hap Ward, the senior member of the stage team of Ward and Yokes, has announced his intention to permanent- ly retire from the boards and will hereafter actively manage his Fern- croft Inn, located 16 miles out of Bos- ton. Lucy Ward will likewise step away from the profession and locate with her husband at the Ferncroft. The Inn is over 200 years old and is said to be the oldest hostelry in the United States. Ward's last show was "A Fool, His Money and His Girl." Harry Vokes will continue with the road shows, using the firm name with Ward's permission. Violinsky is out of the Hotel Chicka- saw, Los Angeles, where he was man- ager. The hotel is still running. Vio- linsky was the first to organize a danc- ing cabaret in an ice cream parlor, at least off the stage. That's what he did in Los Angeles, but in "A Perfect Lady," with Rose Stahl as the star, the principal scene of the piece was the self same idea, laid in the wilds of Kansas. Violinsky is understood to be on his way east. George Whiting and Sadie Burt have moved back to the former "Whiting's" on Surf avenue, Coney Island. They opened the season down there in a new "Whiting's" on the Bowery. George says business has come along so pros- perously he is thinking of establishing himself on Broadway for the coming winter. Paul Salvain lias decided he wants another revue for the dance floor of Rector's and has been casting about for a-, ailable talent the past few weeks. The show is to be placed into rehearsal almost immediately and is to open with- i i three weeks. Babette, formerly at Shanley's, is in "Splash Me" at the Shelburne, Brigh- ton Beach. She debutted in the prima donna role this week. Cincinnati, Aug. 4. The feet of Americans and of Euro- peans who still have feet, are being bumped out of line by modern dances. Ernest C. Stanaback, president, and Er- nest Graff, secretary-treasurer of the National Association of Chiropodists, made the statement Monday at the opening of the annual convention of the National Association of Chiropo- dists in this city. Not only arc the steps injurious, but the dancing pumps and slippers are terribly rough on the tootsies, the feet doctors say. Milwaukee, Aug. 4. The Council Committee has adopted a rule forbidding all cabarets in saloons. Many cabaret people have lost their engagements through it. This is a little remarkable in a town where so many liquor interests hold forth and where it is generally accepted lurks the stronghold of Socialism and per- sonal liberty. Toronto. Aug. 4. Toronto has a new refreshment and amusement resort on King street, near Yonge. labeled the Cafe Royal. The Royal Quintet, W. H. Seudders and the Argentine String Orchestra are hand- ling the entertainment. Dancing also. Why has Van Hovcn been booked for tavaral tours in Enfland? Because, VAN HOVCN. WESTERN TAB PLANS. Chicago, Aug. 4 The Tabloid situation insofar as the Western Vaudeville Managers' Asso- ciation is directly concerned has been finally decided upon, the managers of the various circuits booking through the "Association," having determined to handle 10 high class "tabs" for which they will pay $900 weekly salary as well as transportation and baggage ex- penses. Sam Thall, general booking manager and transportation expert of the organ- ization, has been delegated to accept the 10 shows, and after passing his re- view, the pieces will be given a 21- week route without lay-offs. This will do away with the "turkey" producer and provided the ten accepted shows come up to expectations, there is a possibility the number will be in- creased another ten, giving the "As- sociation" sufficient "tabs" to run through the season without repeating. The tab books are to be original, with original music and will be cos- tumed and equipped at a figure ex- ceeding the cost of any tabloids that have previously played the time. Ar- rangements are under way between the tabloid department of the Association and the Jesse Lasky producing firm to rearrange "The Red Heads" into a tabloid show, to run an hour and a half. The "Association" has made a $900 weekly offer with all expenses paid, but request the Lasky people to show the piece before routing it. The Lasky firm have, up to date, refused to experiment and insists upon a route for the tab before arranging for the production. LASKVS ONE ACT. On his return from the Pacific Coast Jesse Lasky stated that after what he had witnessed as to the actual condi- tions of the vaudeville situation in the west he was prepared to make but one new vaudeville production this year. This will be an act with James Carson in the leading role. The only other Lasky production that may be made this season will be a revival of "The Peaches," with Knute Erickson in the principal role. BOOKING AT NIGHT. Chicago, Aug. 4. The sudden arrival of opening time has 'impelled the booking men of the Western Vaudeville Managers' Asso- ciation to hasten their routing meetings and in order to alleviate an early sea- son rush. The bookers are holding meetings nightly in the Majestic Thea- tre Building under the direction of Booking Manager Tom Carmody. PLAZA ON MARKET? The Plaza, on Madison avenue, near 5°th street, and now playing pop vaude- ville, is said to have been placed on the market by its present lessee, a Mr. Solonian. The rental is reported at $35,000 yearly. The IMaza played big time vaude- ville long ago, under the direction of William Morris, then passed to the Loew Circuit, which booker' it with small time, and later was on the Moss & Brill books. WEATHER BOOSTS BUSINESS. The sudden turn in the weather handed the managers along Broadway one of the most sudden jolts in their lives. All of the houses dropped down Monday night because of the heat, but Tuesday night through the rain and the sudden drop in tempera- ture the business took a sudden jump. Legitimate attractions reported they did a turnaway business. At the Pal- ace there was nothing to be had ex- cept standing room. The Fifth Avenue did $97 above the record for the house during any time that the three a day vaudeville policy has been in effect. TAB'S SAD FINISH. When the 116th Street theatre dis- continued its stock tabloid policy after one week's experience, some one over- looked the usual formality of paying salaries. The week was not a profitable one for the management, but the players, while realizing the inevitable, looked forward to pay night, which never ar- rived. The chorus girls were handed 50 cents each for their week's work, while the principals received the best wishes of those behind the venture. The house is playing vaudeville again. CIRCUS' HARD LUCK. Louisville, Aug. 4. Hard luck is being experienced by the Haag Greater Shows, now running the Kentucky mountain towns. Re- cently, one of the employes nearly had his foot chewed oft by a lion, and the lion had to be killed; later, one of the elephants went into a farmer's field of corn and the show manager had to pay for much damaged property; again, the entire show, stalled on a hillside and every horse in the vicinity was mustered to pull them out; re- cently two elephants went out upon an uncertain bridge at the same time, the bridge gave way and the two mammoths fell a distance into the water. I'nraged the animals lifted logs with their trunks and threw them at the keepers. BRONX THIEVES CAUGHT. The several recent thefts at the Na- tional, Bronx, were finally traced to two young roughs of the neighborhood. They were arrested last week and held for Special Sessions. The thefts had worried the house management until the Loew office de- cided to discharge the entire stage crew, but before action was taken, the house fireman discovered the prowlers at work and arrested them while loot- ing a dressing room. The youngsters made a complete con- fession and returned most of the stolen property. HASCALL IN AMERICA. Jack Hascall, general stage director for the Hugh Mcintosh enterprises, is in New York looking around for avail- able material for the second edition of Mcintosh's "Follies." While here Has- call will also purchase scenery and cos- tumes to accompany the production. He is headquartering with Chris Brown, the American representative of the Mcintosh circuit.