Variety (October 1915)

VAUDEVILLE FLOOD OF FASHION SHOWS IS SWAMPING NEW YORK THEATRES The Whitney Show at Cohan's—Another at Carnegie Hall Next Week—Palace Show Opens Oct. 11 for Four Weeks—Shuberts Arranging One. 'The Fashion Show" given at the Palace theate early in the summer started something. So far this season there are two additional fashion shows announced. One, billed as Mrs. Whit- ney's Fashion Show and sponsored by the Selwyns, opened at the Cohan the- atre Monday afternoon. The perform- ance was repeated Tuesday and Thurs- day afternoons and another will be giv- en this afternoon. There is another fashion show to be given at Carnegie Lyceum Oct. 6-8. This is sponsored by the "Evening Globe." In the latter, Alice Brady, Martin Brown, Grace La Rue and June Eldridge are to appear. The Palace "Fashion Show" is to 0p~e*tNOct. 11, with live big scenes built for the production. Erne lie Lea will be featured with the act. The present arrangement is to keep the show at the Palace for four weeks with the in- troduction of new novelties in cos- tumes weekly. The Whitney Fashion Show played to about $1,300 at each of the two per- formances given at the Cohan the first two afternoons. The Shuberts offered the Selwyns a proposition Tuesday, to play the fashion show at one of their houses in the afternoon, and at the Castles-in-the-Air at night. The Sel- wyns said that they would not consider the theatre proposition, but would take $1,000 a night for the roof engagement. The Shuberts thereupon started a deal with the Vogue and Vanity Fair publish- ers for a fashion show of their own under the auspices of those two publica- tions. This may be produced within the next two weeks. CHICAGO'S STRAND. Chicago, Sept. 29. As predicted in Variet* three months ago, Jones, Linick & Schaef- fer have definitely decided on the erec- tion of a new theatre on State street, to be known as the Strand. The location is between Jackson and Van Buren streets and the house is scheduled to open next August. Official announcement of this inten- tion was made from the offices of the Chicago firm this week, although stren- uously denied some months ago when printed in Variety; GOT AWAY WITH $600. Chicago, Sept. 29. The Grand was visited by thieves Saturday night, the prowlers relieving the office safe of $600. The thieves hid in the theatre after the last performance and applied the usual methods to the safe. HOBOKEN CLOSES UP. Last Sunday night, about eight o'clock, Hoboken theatrically closed up. At that hour all the theatres were notified to close for the Sunday per- formances, which they did. Several were obliged to refund considerable money already in the box office. JAKE STERNAD BOOKING. Chicago, Sept. 29. Jake Sternad has returned to the producing and booking business in the capacity of general manager of the H. & E. Amusement Co., who have opened offices in the Rector Building. The new concern is being financed by two well-known Chicago men, one ot whom is financially interested in a local theatre, while the other is a new- comer to show business. For the past two years Mr. Sternad has been acting as amusement man- ager for several local cafes and more recently handled the special days at the Federal League Ball Park. Sam "Blood" Kramer will assist Mr. Sternad. WEEK IN PORTLAND, ME. Portland, Me., Sept. 29. Commencing Monday Keith's will start vaudeville, playing bills a full week. The house will be booked through Harvey Watkins in the United Book- ing Offices, New York. Green & Abrams have retired from the B. F. Keith corporation which ope- rated the Keith, Portland and Strand theatres in this city, the three houses being operated under a single agree- ment. Hereafter the Keith house will be handled independent of the other theatres. NATIONAL'S "BIG NIGHTS." Loew's National in the Bronx will recommence its series of "Special Sur- prise Nights," commencing next Wednesday, when an extra program ot ten or more acts will be arranged for by Ernie Williams in the Loew book- ing office. The National for some seasons had a "Surprise Night" each Wednesday, when many turns in addition to the regular program were topped usually by a big act from a downtown show. The "specials" were given up some time ago. TWO DAYS SOUTH SAVED. The new Majestic, Austin, Tex., will open Oct. 18 with the Interstate Cir- cuit's road shows, playing the bills the first two days of each week. This engagement fills in the gap between San Antonio and Little Rock, the shows travelling intact from Austin to the Arkansas town with one day lost en route. Heretofore the jump was direct from San Antonio which necessitated a half week for the journey. NORTON EXPENSIVE TO HIT. Chicago, Sept. 29. Fletcher Norton, while riding on a Madison street car on his way to the Kedzie theatre (where Norton and Earl are appearing this week) played a sec- ondary role in an encounter with an- other passenger who claimed Norton was unduly rude. The passenger connected with the artist's eye and Norton was unable to appear at the night performance. His assailant was fined $25 in a police court. MARIE CAHILL IN. It has been practically settled Marie Cahill is to appear in vaudeville. The figure the comedienne is to receive is reported to be $2,000 weekly. Tuesday Miss Cahill, and her hus- band, Daniel V. Arthur, were in con- versation with Pat Powers which might indicate the Universal is making the comedienne another picture offer. The Triangle is said to have offered her $2,000 a week for 26 weeks in pic- tures. This week Miss Cahill received the first two acts of the new play which Clare Kummer is writing for her and all the offers are still under advisement. SHARPE MANAGING GARDEN. Stanley Sharpe again takes posses- sion of the Winter Garden this Satur- day, succeeding Dan Curry, who leaves on the road with "The Passing Show." Mr. Sharpe was in Chicago this sum- mer, in control of the phenomenal run of "The Maid in America" production at the Garrick. HUMPHREY'S AGENT TALK. Chicago, Sept. 29. Claude Humphreys, local manager of the United Booking Offices, called the Chicago agents holding franchises with his organization together this week for a secret conference. The subject of the meeting was not disclosed. Trenton's Stock Tab Policy. Trenton, N. J., Sept. 29. The State Street theatre will open with a stock tabloid company Oct. 11, under the management of W. H. Gerard. This policy, if successful, will be retained for the remainder of the season, the shows changing weekly. S. C. Bookings in Louisville. Louisville, Sept. 29. Sullivan-Considine bookings are now in the Gayety, and that theatre was opened Sunday. A good bill is there this week. Bert E. Howard, of Washington, will be resident manager. Pictures at Loew's, Washington. Washington, D. C, Sept. 29. It has been determined by the Loew Circuit a picture policy shall reign at the Columbia when they take posses- sion Oct. 11. Did Bentham Ever Win? John J. Murdock and M. S. Bent- ham, who have been racing their boats in friendly competition all summer, have docked them for the winter. ^^Iiyoi^on'^3vertu^nvSRTl don't advertise. NEW ACTS. Roselli Duo, operatic singers (D. 5. Samuels). George Jessel and Lou Edwards, two act. "A Cakewalk Pick Revue," with 10 people, featuring Evon Robinson. "The Pan-American Girls" witr. Hazel Josselyn, Joe Phillips, George Reynolds, Ben Howard and six girls. Al Demaree of the Philadelphia Nationals, possibility as an act (Frank Evans). Three Stewart Sisters, a three-act (formerly Stewart Sisters and Es- corts). Mrs. Gene Hughes in a comedy sketch by Mattie Keene, entitled, "Sun- shine." "The Jolly Models," with Joe Perry and Viola Elliott and girls. (D. S. Samuels). "The Female Clerks" with Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Toner (Carrie Watson), Margie Austin and six girls. Buck Weaver and Jim Scott of the Chicago White Sox are thinking of playing with the vaudeville turn of the Four Cook Sisters. James B. Carson and William Le Baron have collaborated on a musical comedy in three scenes, to be produced shortly with Carson in the principal role. "Guilty as Charged," an Irving Cobb short story for vaudeville, with Joseph Green and company of four. Another Cobb's, "Black and White," reduced to a sketch by Boseman Bulger, with James Lackaye, principal player (John C. Peebles). Mabel Norton, for several years with legitimate attractions under the direc- tion of David Belasco and last seen in support of Frances Starr in "The Case of Becky" is to enter vaudeville as a single. Miss Norton will appear in a quick change novelty with special numbers. IN AND OUT. The Skatelles left the Bedford. Brooklyn, bill, Friday of last week, ow- ing to the illness of Hazel Skatelle. Ben Edwards got the place. The act known as Lane and O'Don- nell was closed at the Avenue theatre, Chicago, this week, the cause given by the management being that O'Donnell was not the original partner. Stage Hands Cause Vaudeville. - William Malloy was to have put a stock company into the Plainfield (N. J.) theatre, beginning Monday, but, ow- ing to the exorbitant demands of the stage hands, it was decided to cancel the contract. Vaudeville and pictures will be given at the house, booked through the Amalgamated—six acts and pictures. Continuous at Empress, 'Frisco. San Francisco, Sept. 29. A policy of continuous vaudeville has been inaugurated at the Empress, commencing this week, the doors open- ing for the first show at 11 a. m. Vincent Back in Orpheum Office. Frank Vincent returned this week to the booking office of the Orpheum Circuit.