Variety (October 1915)

10 LEGITIMATE, THEATRE MANAGERS DISCIPLINE TICKET AGENT FOR OVERCHARGE Met Wednesday to Discuss Punishment—Return of the Cut Rate Predicted — Inside of Deal for Transfer of Tyson Company Stock Causing Laughter. There was a meeting of the Managers' Association Wednesday afternoon to consider what steps should be taken to discipline one of the ticket brokers caught cheating on the sale of his tickets and getting over the advance of 50 cents set by the Association. It was said the result would be the broker might have his entire supply of tickets from the clearing house cut off. The present means of distributing tickets to the agencies and the "cut rate" question have been subjects of discussion wherever theatrical managers meet these days. One of the big laughs going the rounds is the sale by Lee Shubert of the stock of the Tyson Com- pany. The price which Shubert got for his 50 per cent of the Tyson Co. is said to have been $91,250, of which $40,000 was cash. The balance was also to be paid in cash a short time later, but when a loan of $50,000 was being arranged some of the outside brokering interests op- posed it. In the meantime the Shu- berts still have a representative in the offices of the Tyson Co. The story regarding the sale is that the Shubert holdings in the Tyson Co. were offered outside through a law firm just a few weeks previous to the deal and the price asked at that time was $70,000, of which only $10,000 cash was required and the balance could be taken care of in five years. The laugh is that Shubert was able, within a few weeks, to frame things so that he was able to unload all of his Tyson holdings on someone who was considered a "wise man" in show busi- ness and get the big cash payment that he did and boost the price $21,000 over what he had first offered it at. As a matter of fact the Tyson Com- pany did $1,250,000 in business last year, but the profits were not what they should should have been on the volume of business done. The overhead of the Tyson Company is approximately $855 daily, or a little over $200,000 annually. This includes rentals and all other charges. With these charges there are very few people who can actually figure the profit that the concern will show under the new arrangement. The managers at their meeting last week, which incidentally' was a rather heated one, had a few facts brought home to them regarding the Tyson Company. One of the big producers, who also has his own theatre in New York, went to the front and insisted the tickets for the various Drokers would be allotted at his box office and that the Tyson Company would have to dis- tribute them as they were allotted. The producers have been threatened that unless they stick to the cut rate agreement in New York their attrac- tions will not be routed when it comes time for them to start on the road. At present the predictions are that the cut rate will come back within the next month. The houses cutting the box office rates are said to be doing a fairly good busi- ness. Some of the theatres where the balconies have been reduced are doing good business on the upper floors, while the orchestra is not holding up. One of the tricks some of the man- agers are adopting is the distribution of lithograph tickets through the medium of apartment house letter boxes, which are redeemable for seats with a small prem- ium. Some of the Shubert houses have arranged for passes to be left with the ticket-taker, instead of at the box of- fice. The ticket taker is given the cou- pons and admits a person for each cou- pon he holds. This does not show any passes in the feox^amj the balance of the ticket is counted in the "deadwood." TORONTO STORY CONFIRMED. Toronto, Sept. 29. It has been definitely announced Klaw & Erlanger booked attractions will play at the Grand, this city, by special arrangement with A. J. Small, owner of the Grand and Majestic. The Shubert attractions will continue play- ing the Royal Alexandra. This is in confirmation of the state- ment printed in Varibtt some weeks ago. At the time it was stated the Princess, destroyed by fire, would not be rebuilt this season. This is now confirmed. When Variett printed this informa- tion exclusively about two months ago, a writer on a morning paper, evidently acting under instructions, tried to mis- lead by denying it, stating the Prin- cess would be rebuilt and the house bookings arranged for by Klaw & Erlanger this season. SHUBERT WALKOUTS. Two of the principals in "Alone at Last" walked out of rehearsals, and the premiere out of town had to be post- poned. The walking principals are Jose Collins and Margaret Romaine. Miss Romaine left after a misunderstanding with J. J. Shubert which is said to have been very interesting to those who overheard it. BIDDING FOR THE PARK. There are several managers bidding for the Park (Majestic) theatre. One is Harry H. Frazee who is said to have offered $35,000 a year for the Columbus Circle playhouse. The lease which Frank McKee held on the house called for an annual rental of $30,000. WHAT CHICAGO DOESN'T WANT. Chicago, Sept. 29. There is or seems to be a decided change in the taste of the Chicago theatregoer, according to a man well versed in these affairs. It is said that simple little plays or musical comedies are not to be longer tolerated out this way. This is the reason for the apparent failure of more than one piece this season, including "The Only Girl," which, while not a decided failure, did not live up to expectations. "Molly and I" at the La Salle suffered accord- ingly, closing this week. "Just Boys" at the Princess, it is said, is doomed to fail on this account. This show opened Sunday night and was not suc- cessful to any extent "It Pays to Advertise" still remains the biggest hit in town, with "Watch Your Step" a close second. "The Birth of a Nation" holds up as a big film draw at the Colonial. The rest of the shows in town in the legitimate field have fallen off in business. Vaudeville is a money-making at- traction, according to reports both in and outside "the Loop." Burlesque, taking the Columbia for an example, is due for a successful season here. BLANCHE RING'S NEXT PLAY. Frederic McKay and Oliver Morosco have reached a friendly arrangement over the former's contract with Blanche Ring. Mr. Morosco is pre- senting Miss Ring in "Nobody Home" in the West, and later she is to appear in a piece entitled "Honor Bright," the piece Mr. McKay intended starring her in this season. Under the arrangement Mr. Morosco paid a bonus for Miss Ring's services for one year, and he holds an option for four additional years. When pro- ducing "Honor Bright" Morosco is to give McKay a percentage of the gross. "FULL HOUSE" NOTICE UP. The "No. 3" company of "A Full House" posted its two weeks* notice Saturday. They played Bridgeport Sept. 20 and 21, to $111 night, $45 matinee and $157 second night. At Al- lentown, Sept. 24, a two days' run there netted: First night, $150; matinee, $134; second night, $150. Another "Full House" organization, headed by Walter Jones, opened in Geveland to less than $350. The "Full House" company playing at the Lexington, New York, last week, did a gross of about $2,500. MINNA GOMBEL. Minna Gombcl, whose picture is on the front cover of this week's Variety,, is to return to New York shortly in the role of Joan in "My Lady's Gar- ter," the Jack Frutelle and Lee Morri- son play, to follow Marie Tempest at the Lyceum. Miss Gombel made her debut in Henry W. Savage's "Excuse Me" at the Gaiety, several years ago. After that she appeared with Fanny Ward in "Madam President" at the Garrick and later was in stock. Last season she followed Ann Mur- dock in the lead with "A Pair of Sixes," leaving that production to be- come leading woman with Dudley Ayers in stock at the Grand opera house, Brooklyn. Later she played leads with the Lexington Opera House stock company. Miss Gombel is under the exclusive management and direction of Chamber- lain Brown. "SEARCH ME" GOING OUT. "Search Me," the farce in which Howard Estabrook scored a personal success at the Gaiety early this sea- son but which only lasted for a little more than a week on Broadway, is to be sent on tour. The piece is to open in New England next week. In the cast will be Daniel Pennel, one of those interested in tl e management of the compar" , who will play the role originated by Montagu Love; Curtis Cooksey will have the Estabrook role, and the others include John Raymond, Nellie Dent and Fred Graham. DOCTORING "MISS INFORMATION." Cincinnati, Sept. 29. First aid to the injured, the same being "Miss Information," the Elsie Janis play at the Grand, is being ad- ministered this week by Drs. Charles Dillingham, the producer; Paul Dickey and Charles W. Goddard, playwrights; Jerome Kern, composer, and Julian Mitchell, stage director. The above-mentioned surgeons are convinced that "Miss Information" must undergo a thorough operation. A whole lot of things will have to be cut out of her. The critics panned the play, especially the first part. "Miss Information" will be sent directly into New York from here to open at the Cohan. Miss Janis is getting somewhat like Richard Mansfield. She wired Man- ager Havlin, of the Grand, that she could not play a Wednesday matinee, as she considered it too great a strain on her. She will not have to. "MODERN SHYLOCK" WONT DO. Long Branch, N. J., Sept. 29. The A. H. Woods production of "The Modern Shylock" won't do, according to the decision made here when the piece was first produced last Saturday. Its theme is intermarriage between Hebrew and Gentile, and the story seems to offend both. At the premiere many walked out before the play ended. The house held a large mixed assemblage, opening to $984. Dorothy Donnelly and Josephine Victor were prominent in the cast. Miss Victor's performance especially came in for praise. MAKING OVER FARCE. Elizabeth Marbury, F. Ray Cora- stock and Philip Bartholmae are to pro- duce a new musical piece which will be the former William A. Brady farce, "Over Night," with a musical score to be composed by Jerome Kern. At present Ada Lewis, Helen Ray- mond and Anna Orr are engaged for the piece which is to be placed into rehearsal shortly. Joseph Greenwald is managing B. S. Moss' Prospect in the Bronx.