Variety (January 1916)

VOL. XLI, No. 6 NEW YORK CITY, FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 1916 Copyright, 1916 By VARIETY Inc. PRICE TEN CENTS VITAGRAPH, LUBIN, SELIG, ESSANAY SECEDING FROM GENERAL FILM Manufacturers 9 Contracts Expire Jan. 30. Will Handle Output Through V-L-S-E Exchanges. Edison Has Already Ceased Releasing Through Former Trust. Additional evidences of the report printed in Variety some time ago that the General Film would go out of business about Feb. 1 are constantly manifesting themselves. The individual contracts between G. F. and the manufacturers expire Jan. 30 and it now looks as though Vita- graph, Lubin, Selig and Essanay would secede and release their combined out- put via the V-L-S-E. exchanges. Another indication is that Edison has ceased releasing through G. F., taking advantage of the decision in the Greater New York vs. G. F. suit, which permitted the licensees under G. F. to withdraw Dec. 18. One of the Edison officials, when asked about their future plans, replied: "Watch for a startling announcement." It is understood the G. F. hasn't made any money in the past seven months. He may be seen in vaudeville in New York if the right figure is forthcom- ing. RINGLING'S NEW CLOWNS. The Ringling circuses next summer will all have new clowns, according to a report that says John Ringling has determined upon that move. The Ringling complement of funny men of past seasons will be replaced mostly by comedy acrobatic turns, and Mr. Ringling is reported on a hunt for suitable acts of that character. McVICKER'S BREAKS RECORD. Chicago, Jan. 5. McVicker's, playing small time vaude- ville (Jones, Linick & Schaeffer) broke its record last week, with an ordinary bill containing no heavily billed feature. The house did a trifle over $10,500 at a 10-20-30 scale. REOPENING WITH NEW TITLE. "The Road to Mandalay" is to be the new title which "Tit for Tat" is to reopen in Lexington, Ky., next week. The piece when first produced was found to be sadly in need of a book. The second attempt to whip it into shape failed as the cast wasn't right, and for the third trip out a new title was decided on. BUFFALO BILL'S TITLE. Chicago, Jan. 5. Word is wafted in from Col. William F. Cody's (Buffalo Bill) ranch in Wyo- ming that he is going ahead with his plans to head a new wild west show next season that will be styled "Buf- falo Bill's Pioneers in War and Peace." The only and original Buffalo Bill will take the central part in the show. PADEREWSKI AN ACT. Chicago, Jan. 5. Ignatz Paderewski, after a few days' stay here, has departed for the east. With the famous pianist are Mme. Paderewski, Mrs. A. L. Phillips and Mrs. W. O. Gorski, and a small army of servants. Paderewski has been in the west and makes it plain that he is seeking funds for supporting war sufferers of Poland. TANGUAY AT PALACE. Pittsburgh, Jan. 5. Eva Tanguay, headlining at the Davis here this week, is duplicating her usual success. Miss Tanguay returns to New York next week and will probably give her voice a rest. She is to be the star of the Palace, New York, bill for week of Jan. 17. The OFFICIAL NEWS of the White Rats Actors' Union and Associated Actresses of America Appears on pages 16 and 17 GRAUMAN'S S.-C. PORTLAND. San Francisco, Jan. 5. The Graumans have taken over the Sullivan-Considine Orpheum, Portland, Ore., and will assume the management March 1. It is expected the house will play vaudeville and pictures. The Graumans are understood to have men overlooking the other S.-C. houses but they refuse to confirm or deny it. ZIEGFELD WANTED JOLSON. F. Ziegfeld Jr. is reported to have made an offer to Al. Jolson to head the "Follies" next season, but the famous Winter Garden comedian had to decline through his contract with the Shu- berts. Jolson signed with the firm for five years at the time "The Honey- moon Express" was produced. "BUNKER BEAN" OPINIONS. Two New Yorkers, recently in Chi- cago, returned home, each with a wide- ly divergent opinion of "His Majesty Bunker Bean" at the Cort, Chicago, and the reigning theatrical hit of that city. One said it should never have gone tc Chicago, as it ought to be on Broad- way where it could run for two years, and the other, equally as good, if not a better, judge of a play, says "Bunker Bean" hasn't a chance in New York. RACHMANN'S "MIRACLE." Max Reinhardt's "Miracle" may be put on over here under the direction of S. Rachmann. Mr. Rachmann is closing negotiations for it. He also anticipates bringing over Jean Gilbert, the composer, and have Gilbert collaborate with a word writer for a musical piece. Rachmann will produce. BELASCO'S STOCK TRY OUT. "The Recoil," a drama by Henry Irving Dodge, accepted by David Belasco, is to be tried out in stock in Mount Vernon, N. Y., next week. The principal roles will be played by Frank Wilcox, Adelaide Hibberd and Minna Gombel. William Thompson, Charles Miller, George Graham and Edward Donnelly were engaged by Frank Wilcox for roles in this play. FARCE FOR MacFARLANE. Joseph Brooks is to present George MacFarlane in farce. The piece is to be placed into rehearsal as soon as Mr. MacFarlane finishes his vaudeville en- pa cements. If you don't advertise in VARIETY, don't advertise. SEVEN STATES "GONE DRY." Chicago, Jan. 5. Show producers are wondering if the seven states that have just gone dry will turn more money into the amuse- ment coffers as a result. Jan. 1 pro- hibition became effective in Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Arkansas, Iowa, Idaho and South Carolina. These Slates have a population of 8,253,998. From Denver comes word that music will not be allowed in the hotel dining rooms, and that dancing will eventually be tabooed.