Variety (December 1915)

VAUDEVILLE S-C CIRCUIT WILL BE SOLD THIS W EEK, SA YS C0NSID1NE Negotiations Underway — John W. Considine Confirms Variety's Report— Purchaser Believed to Be Wilkes Brothers on Coast—No Booking Change Probable. San Francisco, Dec. 1. John Considine, who has been in town for the past week, has confirmed the story in last week's Variety, he would shortly close a deal for the trans- fer of his entire chain of theatres. Mr. Considine said the deal would probably be closed before the close of the current week, but refused to divulge the purchaser. It is generally believed here the deal will bring the former Sullivan-Consi- dine circuit under the control of the Wilkes Brothers, recently identified with a stock venture in this section. If the Wilkes people are not promoting the proposition, it is thought they will be interested to some extent. Should the Considine string undergo another change of ownership, the local Empress, now controlled by the Grau- mans, will in all probability leave the circuit proper and accept its bills from the Bert Levey agency. The Considine theatres are sup- plied with their programs through the Affiliated Booking Corporation of Chi- cago with the Grauman house taking extra attractions from Levey. In the event of a change of ownership in the S-C Circuit, it will not affect the book- ings of the rest of the circuit which will continue to receive its bills from the Chicago agency. TANGUAY TALKS TO RATS. Chicago, Dec. 1. Although Harry Mountford returned to Chicago and delivered another of his proverbial, sizzling speeches in be- half of the White Rate' Union in the Hotel Sherman last Friday night, it was Eva Tanguay who mounted the rostrum and uncorked a personal talk that had every actor and actress vig- orously applauding before the peppery comedienne had concluded. Miss Tanguay had been invited sev- eral days before the meeting but it was almost time for the session to open be- fore she decided to make some remarks concerning the Rats' movement. Miss Tanguay was introduced by Chairman Sam Morton and the actress was the recipient of an enthusiastic ovation when she stepped from the audience. The meeting was an open one and al- most as well attended as the one a few weeks ago when Big Chief Frank Fo- garty and Mountford were the central figures at the Sherman. Fogarty, being out of the city, the meeting was ably presided over by Sam Morton. One of the first speakers was Attorney Fred Loewcnthal, who made some intelligent remarks, pointedly and with a humorous twinge that further established 'him as one of our best little speakers. Barry Connors fol- lowed, and at some length extolled the virtues of being a good Rat and why one should join the order. He im- pressed from the start. Miss Tanguay followed and her talk dwelt on "Fair Play." She was not in the best of voice, but faced the emer- gency with the wonderful energy and fortitude for which she has become famous in show circles. Miss Tan- guay brought forth some of the well- defined brand of Tanguay pep and every remark was sent over with tell- ing effect. Mountford held the platform for fully an hour and in turn gave warnings to the professionals to join the Rats as the time for important action against "cancellations, tryouts," etc. was near at hand. Mountford urged each Rat to bring a new Rat into the fold and that it waa the heart wish of the order the mem- bership by Jan. 1 reach a total of 10.- 000. The vaudeville salary question came in for its share of attention and Mountford gave the Rats to believe that if the membership reached the to- tal expected that there would be a min- imum of $25 "single" and $50 "double" for acts. These figures mean that they would be the lowest that would be ac- cepted from any theatre management. The salary could go as high as the stipulated stage wage earners desired, providing the houses would agree to foot the bill. Mountford also took a sharp verbal thrust at the professionals who "pirate vaudeville material" and lambasted the persons who secured engagements through impersonations which he (Mountford) considered nothing more than "material lifting." The Rats' Chicago representative, Will P. Conley, was also active at the session. St. Louis, Dec. 1. The White Rats held an unusually big meeting here last night with George W. Searjcant, the local organizer, in the chair. Harry Mountford was the sole speaker and received a big reception. 480 applicants and 140 reinstatements resulted from Mr. Mountford's efforts. He left directly after the meeting to at- tend another gathering in Detroit. BACK TO W. V. M. A. Chicago, Dec. 1. Rubin & Finkelstein signed a five- year booking franchise with the West- ern Vaudeville Managers' Association this week and commencing Dec. 20 their Palace, Minneapolis, will resume "As- sociation" bookings. At the preseent time the Minneapolis theatre is playing the Tantages road shows. The other house owned or controlled by the R. & F. interests arc already ac- cepting their programs from the W. V. M. A. SMALL TIME'S ADDED RECEIPTS. From reports of managements con- nected with small-time theatres which have of late changed their policy of playing from three, to two shows daily, there has been an increase in gross re- ceipts under that policy of from 15 to 25 per cent. In some houses, however, the change of policy brought an increased expense, such as in the theatre (where admis- sion prices were also raised) reporting the 25 per cent, increase in the gross. There is no record of the net result. NOT PERCY WILLIAMS. Percy Williams has taken occasion to deny over his signature in a letter dated from his home at East Islip, L. I., the report he has become inter- ested in the vaudeville circuit rumor said Oscar Hammerstein might pro- mote. BORNHAUPT CASE MONDAY. The case of Charles Bornhaupt against the U. B. O. will be called for trial Monday morning in the United States Court in the Federal Building. Both sides stated early this week that they would be ready to proceed. BUCK MANAGING TWO. John Buck, who has been managing Proctor's 58th Streeet for several years, has had the management of Proctor's 125th Street added to his du*ies. Mr. Buck is now dividing his time between the two houses and making his headquarters at the downtown the- atre. NEW ACTS. William H. Asterfeldt, for several years connected with the Orpheum, San Francisco, and who still retains that connection, arrived in Chicago Tuesday with three new Chinese acts. "The Wire Tappers" and "The Bluf- fer," the latter with Isabel Ahearn, are being produced by Charles F. Pope for the small time. Jos. Jefferson, Jr., in "The Bachelor." Joe Maxwell reviving "Dinklespiel's Christmas" with the original cast, (Arthur Klein). Margaret Iving in a musical playlet. In support, Charles Bartholomew, Ed- die Lane and a chorus of six girls. Alice Fleming, Eugene Revere and Co. in "The Heart of a Boy," dramatic (Chamberlain Brown). Mephisto and Girls, with Ethel Gil- more and Max Frank and company of seven. Ward DeWolfe and His Fashion Girls, 10 persons. Browning and Morris, twe men (Abe Feinberg). Fleurette and Mizzi (two girls), dancing (Paul Durand). J. Edmund Davis and Frank Burton, sketch, three people. Fred La France (formerly La France and Bruce) and Billy Howland. Ed. Keough and Helen Nelson in "A Vaudeville Luncheon." "A Persian Garden," 10 people (re- vival) (Goldberg & Epstin). Jack Dunham, formerly of the Three Musketeeers, is now a single. Frances Chase, dancing. AGENTS MOVE. Chicago, Dec. 1. Wayne Christy, who owned a half interest in the Marie James office, is said to have completed arrangements to join the local staff of the Gus Sun circuit, assisting Tom Powell. Harry Miller, late of the Interstate office, also made a change this week, entering the Coney Holmes Booking Office. FAIR CONVENTION. Chicago, Dec. 1. The American Association of Fairs and Expositions will hold its 25th an- nual convention and banquet this week at the Auditorium hotel. Over 400 fair secretaries and carnival men are ex- pected. CHANGE AT DANVILLE, ILL. Chicago, Dec. 1. An arrangement was practically closed this week transferring the lease of the Lyric, Danville, 111., from the Allardts to D. J. Robson. Ft Wayne Playing 3-a-day. Ft. Wayne, Ind., Dec. 1. Commencing Dec. 6 the Palace will play three shows daily, having its bills booked through the Chicago branch of the United Booking Offices. This town is in bad shape through labor troubles and there is much pic- ture opposition, which decided the Pal- ace on the change. IN AND OUT. Lew Dockstader did not open at the Palace, New York, Monday. An attack * of ptomaine poisoning prevented his appearance. He went into the bill on Tuesday. Beatrice Herford substituted for the day. Willia Holt Wakefield replaces Gene Hodgkins on the Orpheum, Omaha, bill for this week only. Mr. Hodgkins' illness is reported elsewhere in this issue. Irene and Bobbie Smith left the Prospect, Brooklyn, program Monday night through illness. Porter and Sul- livan replaced them. Castano and Nelson had to leave the Keith's, Providence, program after the Monday matinee, owing to Eddie Nelson being attacked with laryngitis. John Jarrott, dancing partner of Joan Sawyer, is out of the act and George Harcourt is substituted. The change occurred at the Orpheum, Brooklyn, Wednesday night. Herman Becker's "girl act," "The Female Mail Clerks," playing under the name of "The Post Office Maids," was closed at the City theatre after the first performance Monday. Midgley and Carlisle and the Telegraph Trio were filled in. Al. Lee, of the team of Cantor and Lee, booked at Keith's Columbia this week, was forced to retire from the bill and come to New York because of ill- ness in his family. Fred Warren, of the team of Warren & Conley, who were also on the bill, deputized for Lee and appeared in both acts.