Variety (October 1915)

VOL. XL, No. 5 NEW YORK CITY, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1915. PRICE TEN CENTS. THREE-CORNERED COMPETITION FOR MUSICAL COMEDY HONORS Century, Winter Garden and Hippodrome Battling for Busi- ness, with Shubert House Sandwiched Between Other Two. Each Giving Sunday Night Show. Century's Good Start. The three-cornered competition for musical comedy honors got its full start last night when the Hippodrome reopened under the direction of Charles Dillingham 'with "Hip Hip Hooray," a huge musical production. Last Thursday night the Century re- lighted with Ned Wayburn in com- mand, and "Town Topics" the prin- cipal attraction. The Shuberts' Winter Garden, sand- wiched in between the other two as far as location is concerned, is putting on its new production, "The World of Pleasure," next week, its current show leaving Saturday. The Century had an exceptional start at the $2 scale it charges. The houst* opened to $3,900, played to $3,700 the second night (Friday)v^nd $4,005.75 Saturday night, with Monday's re- ceipts reaching $2,360. The Dillingham regime at the Hip will charge $1.50, whilst the Winter Garden may reduce its prices in view of the opposition to a $2 limit. It for- merly charged $2.50 when a show of drawing power was put on. The Winter Garden's Sunday night concerts will also find the other two big theatres taking away from them the same evening. Both the Century and Hip will give Sunday night shows. Last Sunday was the first at the Cen- tury. It played to $1,800 at $1.50 top price, and the vaudeville program was pronounced excellent. The side attractions at the Century, including music and dancing, have proved of small attraction thus far, ex- cepting during intermission. A dance license was obtained Monday, and after the regular theatre performance is over the Century becomes a public restau- rant. Now that the show is goin>; along in a settled groove, the restau- rant-cabaret side of the establishment will receive the especial attention of the management. The title of the new Winter Gar- den show so closely resembles several names of burlesque attractions in the past, show people upon seeing "The World of Pleasure" on the billboards were somewhat surprised at the selec- tion. A story told by eye and ear-witnesses related to the purchase of a large block of first row seats at the Hippodrome for the opening performance. These seats were ordered purchased by a theatrical manager, who would not feel depressed if the present regime at the Hip failed to meet with whatever suc- cess that house has had under other management. The instructions as issued were to buy the large block in the front rows and to be positive the seats were unoccupied at the first show. 2-DAY SHUBERT SHOW. Philadelphia, Sept. 29. "What Happened," a melodramatic farce slipped in by the Shuberts open- ing at the Adelphi last Thursday night, closed Saturday. The production has been sent to the storehouse, although it may be revived later on. The piece was originally scheduled to remain here until Oct. 2, when it was to be followed by "Nobody Home." In the meantime the Chicago Trib- une's War Pictures are to be shown. LOEW GETTING SCHAEFER. Wednesday afternoon negotiations were close to completion between Jos. M. Schenck and Sylvester Schaef- er, whereby the foreign performer is to open next Monday for a circuit of the Marcus Loew houses. WOODS' LONGACRE. In real estate circles it was stated A. H. Woods had taken over the Longacre theatre and that the attraction to follow "The Girl Who Smiles" at that house will be the Woods production of "Wall Street 'Gets' Potash & Pearlmutter." The Woods office expected to place the show at the Cohan, but another book- ing (Janis show) was entered by Klaw & Erlanger for that theatre. At the Woods office it was denied the deal for the Longacre had been closed, although admitted negotiations for the property were being conducted. TANGUAY AT CENTURY? Negotiations are said to be pending between Ned Wayburn and Eva Tan- guay which may result in the latter being the feature attraction of the next production staged at the Century. It was at first intended to add Miss Tanguay to the present edition of "Town Topics," but outstanding con- tracts and the vaudeville route held by the cyclonic comedienne interfered. Miss Tanguay opened at the Alhambra Monday, playing to the biggest matinee of the current season. Next week Tanguay goes to the Orpheum, Brook- lyn, for a return engagement. WHITESIDE ON ROAD. Chicago, Sept. 29. Walker Whiteside in "The Ragged Messenger" has gone on the road play- ing onc-nighters in Michigan this week. The impression the show had finally shut spread through the reported closing of it at the Princess last week. While Mr. Whiteside ran into the hot spell here, it is claimed the Prin- cess averaged $4,000 weekly during the run of the "Messenger" there. FOX OPPOSITE GABY. The new Irving Berlin show Charles Dillingham will produce in November with Gaby Deslys starred, will have Harry Fox playing opposite the French girl. During rehearsals of the piece Mr. Fox and his wife, Jennie Dolly, will accept vaudeville engagements around New York. Later Miss Dolly will re- join her sister in the Cohan & Harris production for Raymond Hitchcock. If you don't advertlso In VARIETY, don't advartlaa. TWO PARTS IN 16 YEARS. An actor, in the profession for 16 years, and playing but two roles, it more or less of a novelty in these days. But a few days ago one walked into the office of Chamberlain Brown and requested that the agent get a part for him. When asked his past experience, he stated he had only appeared in two shows since on the stage. Further inquiry brought forth the information he played one part in "The Old Homestead" for 12 years and after that was with "Way Down East" for four years. His name was Willard McKegney and he is still looking for a part in a piece that will be more or less of an assured success. KILLED IN ACTION. George E. Chrimes of Liverpool, England, professionally known in this country as Rae Corrie, was killed in action at the Dardanelles, recently. Word to this effect was received by his brother, who lives in Boston. Corrie toured the United States a few years ago in a Lauder imitation. He enlisted in the English ranks at the outbreak of the European war and was given a commission before start- ing for the scene of his death. He was mentioned several times in the cables for efficiency and bravery. JOE MURPHY RETURNING? Joseph Murphy, the Irish star, who has been in retirement for several years, is considering returning to the stage for a tour in two of his former successes, "Shaun Rhue" and "Kerry Gow." Mr. Murphy, now 83, is one of the richest actors in the country, reputed actually worth $13,000,000. He will in all probability become acclimated to the stage again by a week's starring engage- ment in stock before starting his tour. WAR DRAMA WITH EFFECTS. Robert E. Larkin and Thomas Boylan (the latter stage manager of the Greeley Square theatre) have produced a two-scene war drama with special effects. The action includes the entire demol- islimcnt of a model city with a tower 18 feet high falling upon the stage for the finish. The piece has been framed for vaudeville.