Variety (January 1916)

VAUDEVILLE W. V. M. A. INVASION OF COAST PRESAGES LONG UP-HILL FIGHT Advent of Harry Miller in San Francisco Hat Stirred up Great Interest. Coast Managers and Brokers Feel Strongly Intrenched. "Ass'n's" "Montana Time" secur- ing Some Acts From Coast. San Francisco, Jan. 5. The arrival here of Harry Miller, Pacific Coast representative of the Western Vaudeville Managers' Asso- ciation of Chicago has stirred up con- siderable interest in local vaudeville circles, and a general review of book- ing conditions in this section reveals that while the territory is well repre- sented with smaller circuit theatres the majority are well connected and the prospect of a wholesale booking move is decidedly slim. In so far as the talent supply is di- rectly concerned, the field is full of available material, but in looking over the list of coast theatres one discovers the far western section thoroughly cov- ered. For some time the Western States Vaudeville Association (the local Ackcrman-Harris combine) has been expanding, and in the majority of in- stances control the stock in the theatres they book. The same is true of the Bert Levey circuit for Bert Levey long ago foresaw the inevitable invasion of eastern interests and wisely fortified himself by becoming financially inter- ested in the greater number of his booking acquisitions. The Pantages Circuit carries no prospects at all, and the Considine chain is doing nicely with the attractions supplied by the Affili- ated Co., in Chicago. This condition leaves little for Miller to work on, but with the present string of theatres in the northwest supplied by his organization, and considering the influences morally supporting his local office, he has a fairly strong nu- cleus that may eventually materialize into the oft-predicted fifth string for the Pacific Coast. Chicago, Jan. 5. The Western Vaudeville Managers' Association commenced booking Can- adian houses Monday, starting at Grand Forks, N. D., for five or six weeks following, opening at Brandon. The acts will then play Montana and proceed to the Coast. Paul Goudron in the Association is routing shows from here to Watcrtown, S D., Mason City, Esthervillc and At- lantic, la., previously booked by Rich- ard Hoffman. Other former "Association houses" booked by (ioudron are now on Kdward Hay man's books. IN AND OUT. Johnny Collins in the United Book- ing Offices lost his two holidays, Christmas and New Year's, being obliged to remain at his desk fill- ing in "disappointments." For this week Mr. Collins placed Van Brothers at the Hip, Yonngstown, ()., to replace Jackson and Wahl; Roberts and Ro- deon, substituting for Irene and Bobbie Smith on the Sheridan Sq., Pittsburgh, Majestic, Johnstown, split, and Martin Van Bergen on the same split reversed for Ray Snow. Bond and Casson have the Santley and Norton place on the Colonial bill this week. Asaki was sent to Providence, Mon- day, to fill in at Keith's for the See- backs. Mrs. Louis James and Co. were out of the bill at the Fifth Avenue (first half) after the Monday night perform- ance, and Middleton and Spellmeyer in "A Texas Wooing" replaced them. Sumiko, the Japanese prima donna, cancelled this week for Sioux City and Mason City. "The Fashion Show" was booked in. The Bader La Velle cycling trio, scheduled to start W. V. M. A. Cana- dian tour Monday, opening at Grand Forks, N. D., cancelled, not wishing to enter Canada during war times. The comedian of the act is a British sub- ject. The Ambler Brothers, playing the Palace, Minneapolis, were substi- tuted. LUBIN ASSISTING SCHENCK. The post of assistant to General Booking Manager Jos. M. Schenck, of the Loew Circuit, formerly occupied by Jack Goldberg, has been assigned by Mr. Schneck to Jake Lubin Stockton Reinstated for Two Days. Stockton, Cal., Jan. 5. The Yosemite theatre here has been reinstated as an Orpheum Circuit vaudeville stand, playing two days each week along with Sacramento (first two) and Fresno (final two) which will fill in the week. VAN HOVEN The Pride of the Gus Sun Circuit SjHinlintf his first New Year's in London and yearning for the days when he. did eight to ten shows a day in the west, and having more trou- ble getting honked (and cancelled) than in doing a tut n every hour of the day. SCHENCK'S UPLIFT STAND. Jos. M. Schenck, general booking manager for the Loew Circuit, has taken another stand for the uplift in the public estimation of the popular priced vaudeville business. Mr. Schenck is aiming once more at undesirable agents who make their living from the popular price vaudeville circuits. Previously the Loew booking man- ager has issued intimations that agents must secure new material and stop prof- fering a standing list of acts well known and available for any booking man. Mr. Shenck has lately been informed there are several agents doing business with his circuits among others who are notorious for neglecting to pay their obligations. This "dead beat" expres- sion against small time agents is prov- ing distasteful to the booking manager. Mr. Schenck mentioned the other day if he were convinced any agent doing business with his office had deliberately defaulted in the payment of a just bill, when able to pay it, he would cut such agents off from the privileges of the Loew booking agency, with much pleas- ure. T1M0NY, RATS LAWYER. James A. Timony has been officially appointed the attorney for the White Rats Actors' Union of America, suc- ceeding O'Brien, Malevinsky & Dris- coll, who tendered their resignation on Dec. 20, to take effect Jan. 1. CALGARY REOPENS. The Orpheum Circuit reopened its Calgary (Can.) house Dec. 27. The bill moving from Winnipeg to Seattle on the Orpheum Tour will play three days (five performances) at Cal- gary the first half of the week. SLOAN IN A SKETCH. Tod Sloan, the ex-jockey, deported from England, is to tackle vaudeville in a sketch in which (Miss) Sydney Shields is also to be featured. The sketch is to have a cast of six and is to be ready for a showing in about ten days. Two All-Girl Programs. Portland, Me., Jan. 5. Keith's here will have an all-girl vaudeville bill Jan. 17, placed by Harvey Watkins in the United Booking Offices. The same show will play Lowell, Mass. (Keith's), Jan. 24. It will have seven acts. Duval, Jacksonville, Opening. Jacksonville, Fla., Jan. 5. The Duval opens here Jan. 17 with split week vaudeville, splitting with Savannah. The bills will be booked by Harry Mundorf, in the United Booking Offices, New York. Musical Stock on Split A musical stock was being recruited this week in New York. It is to be installed in the Art theatre, Watcrbury, Conn. A company is now playing that house three days weekly. The new company will play the remainder of the week, with a Hartford house for the split. "TRY OUT" CONTRACTS. A decision on the complaint of Daisy Blondin against the Sheedy Vaude- ville Agency brought before the Com- missioner of Licenses several weeks ago was handed down this week when Deputy Commissioner Kaufman agreed the Sheedy Agency did not violate the law when it refused to pay Miss Blondin her full salary at the Amphion theatre recently, when she was can- celled after the first show. Miss Blondin went into the house with the understanding she was to re- ceive $10 for the three days, but was given no contract. After her first show Monday the manager offered her $2, saying she was needed no longer. In rendering his decision dismissing the complaint, Deputy Commissioner Kaufman commented as follows: "I deplore, however, the methods of the Sheedy Vaudeville Agency, Inc., in connection with this trans- action, and transactions of similar kind. It is extremely difficult to separate the Sheedy Vaudeville Agency, Inc., as an employer. It is of paramount importance, how- ever, than an agent state to an employe all the facts pertaining to any transaction, and, in the event of engagements, contracts must be issued, setting forth the full terms and conditions of employment. This department must insist that even in cases of try-outs acts a full contract be given to the per- former and the fact that it is a try- out engagement must be fully set forth in such contract. NEW ACTS. Viola Ward and Irene West, reunited. Anthony Andre and girl partner. Cliff Dean and Harry Lydell, in a girl act. Lew Preston and Co., revival, "Ruled off the Track." James and Landau, and The Three Collegians. (Frank Bohm). Arthur Shafter and Co. in "The Real- estater." Bob Thomas Comedy Co., former one-night stand show, condensed for vaudeville. Ma Belle and Ballet, with male prin- cipal dancer and six girls (Paul Durand). MIDDLEWEST BUSINESS GOOD. Chicago, Jan. 5. The variety business throughout the middle west for the past month or so has been exceptionally good. The week before Christmas is said to have been the best theatrically out this way for three years back. From Three to Two-a-Day. Springfield, III., Jan. 5. The Majestic, booked through the >Vestern Vaudeville Managers' Associa- tion of Chicago, starts a two-a-day policy this week, excepting the week- end, when the former three-a-day policy will prevail. yed to a bill. r>- f v'hi ilon't <-•; rtiee in " .aRIETY .'.in' i dvertise.