Variety (January 1916)

10 LEGITIMATE, WITH THE PRESS AGENTS The Friar* bad a Just good time among themselves New Year's night at the club- house. Among those who contributed to a long and well arranged entertainment was Felli Adler. After the show Mr Adler, while seated at a table, sung the following parody on the Friars' song: Here's to the Epsteins, Here's to the Cohans; Here's to tbe Goldbergs Give three hearty groans; Here's to the Plncuses, Here's to the Meyers; Jerusalem ! Jerusalem ! How did they get Into The Friars. Marty Samper ran the performance. He with Tommy Gray and Adler w«re respon- sible for the show. Tommy Gray wrote "Some Men" as a special bit. It was played by Franklyn Ardell and Arthur Ayles- worth. "The Fourth Degree" by Gray and Adler closed tbe bill. It's a travesty crook playlet. George Moore did neat work in It aa tbe crook who insisted be bad kllleu a man by stabbing him five times. The police Inspector (Adler) refused to believe him. On the program among the "Coming Attractions" announcement were "Much auo About Noth- ing," Louis Ptncus: "The Great Divide," Max Hart; "Alone At Last." Uob Fulgora; "Treas- ure Island." Jack Gleason ; "The Great Lover." Joe 8chenck ; "Sadie Love," George Whiting; "Let George Jo It.' Sam Harris; "It Paya To AdvertlM."—Dr. Iskowlti. Tbe Bhuberts are paying their ehara of the "Abe and Mawruss" advertisement In the Tlmca. The show is at the Lyric, a Shubert house. When the Times threw out the ad- vertisement of the Shuberts theatres the Lyric went along with the others. It did not reappear until A. H. Woods, who owns tbe production, called the attention of the Times to the in- Justice being done him through the paper re- using the Lyric announcement. Tbe Times conaented to receive the advertisement through the Woods office. The Shuberts were Informed of It. and they also heard they would be ex- pected to share In tbe cost. Adopting their customary tactics tbe Shuberts thought they could squirm out of the payment, but the story says they were Informed by Woods If they tried their usual off side stuff with that office, it would walk out on the "easy money" "review" advertising the Shuberts Imposes upon all of Its theatres and productions In New York. The fear of losing this soft piece of change In their own paper made the Shuberts swallow their Adam's Apples In alarm, and they came acroaa without further argument. There was a sneclal performance of "Stop, Look. Listen" at the Globe theatre Sunday afternoon. Charles Dillingham acting as host and the members of the Hippodrome company attending as guests. The greatest compli- ment that can be paid Mr. Dillingham Is that every member of the "Stop, Look, Listen" company put In an appearance and the stage crew and the musicians all volunteered their services gratis for the special per- formance. John P. Dalv opened Monday as manager wltb the ' tflrth of a Nation" In Newark. He was formerly wltb a western company of the picture, and was replaced by Tom Hodg- mond. The Lamy Brothers have been added to the skating scene In the Hippodrome. Edmund Lamy won tbe title of champion speed Kknier of the world by defeating Maurice Wood in 1912. Clarence Hnndy«»lde baa been engngpd for the Robert Hllllsrd "The Pride of Race." which opens Thursday night at the Maxlne Elliott. Mayor Mltchel has granted a special permit for the stage appearance of Max Gold«tone, the boy violinist, the protege of Mr. and Mrs. Phllrp Sousa. "The (Treated Nntlon." William Elliott's latest piny, will have Its premier nt the Shubert. New Haven, Jan. 17. It will then come Into New York. A. D. V. Storey, publicity man. has severed his connections with the Broadway Little Hungary restaurant. The annual benefit of tbe Actors' Fund will take place at the 44th St. Theatre Friday afternoon, Jan. 28. David Felnsco has accepted "The Wand- erer." a Biblical play in three acts, by Maurice V. Samuels. A 3-REEL MYSTERY. (Author's Note: This story is writ- ten with* the last act first, so as to con- form with the usual method of "doing things" practiced by those at whom it is directed.) Scene: Anywhere along the Great White Way where show folk gather. Speech by the entire chorus: "Where is Toxin Worm?" Reel I: Scene, the office of the manager of the Hinter Garten, piano and couch and everything with which to try voices. The great manager him- self at his desk. Phone rings. Man- ager answers. (Conversation in panto.) "Oh. it's you, Worm? Well, what if I did send him up to do the press work for that show. The Lord knows it needed press work! I'll have you understand you are but a hireling in this office and I'll do just as I please about matters of this kind." Scene 2: Press agent's office, mimeo- graph, etc. Rather large person fum- ing and really sore. Leaves office hastily. (Cut to front of building.) Doors swing out and large person exit- ing hurriedly. Crosses street and en- ters alley and then (cut to side door of building). Large person enters. (Cut to Hinter Garten manager's office.) Large person enters and is gesticulat- ing while Hinter Garten manager be- comes enraged. Large person finally leaves with look of utter scorn and dis- gust. (Cut to office of brother of Hin- ter Garten manager.) [Smaller in stature but a bigger manager.] Large person enters. After a few minutes, leaves smiling, carrying pictures of a team of ballroom dancers in his hand. (Pictures in hand to be held so they register.) Scene 3: Call board of theatre. Large person tacking up notice which reads: "Members of the 'Feet Down' company are notified season will close Saturday night.—The Management." (Cut to Broad Street Station.) Large person taking train for N. Y. Reel II, Scene 1: Large person en- tering same alley and then side door of building, but does not go to office of Hinter Garten manager. (Cut to brother's office.) Seen to take adver- tising matter for three shows in his hand and again leave the building tri- umphantly. (This is a short reel and could be padded by titles; scenes show- ing the chorus in the dressing-rooms; fights between the dancing stars and the real stars of the show; and finally the disbandment of the company, by cutting back to parts of the theatre scenes in Reel I. A fight on a sleeper between members of the company could also be added, if needed.) Reel III: Large person sending out stories from his office and then scan- ning daily papers rather anxiously for their appearance. New York Times is prominent by absence. Not finding anything to clip, large person leaves office and again enters alley and side door, only to emerge for the third time triumphantly. (Flash close-up of man- ager reading telegram.) (Script in- sert.) L. S. N. Y. "I am sharing on the extras here for 'Quinneys.' The mystery is now cleared up and the Hinter Garten still doing about $800 a night, holding most of the people un- til the end of the first act. ROSE STAHL'S COMEDY. Cincinnati, Jan. 5. "Moonlight Mary" a three-act com- edy by George V. Hobart, was given its first performance on any stage at the Grand opera house Monday night. Rose Stahl takes the lead, and she is reminiscent of "The Chorus Lady." There is a little sister, who strays a bit, and Helen Vincent (the name of this latest heroine) saves her from the big city. Instead of being an actress this time, Miss Stahl typifies a maga- zine writer from Millenburg, N. Y. The hero is John Stoddard (David Harb- lein) who graduates as a reporter in Millenburg to assistant manager of a dramatic agency in Gotham. The first act is somewhat slow, but the piece gets going in the sec- ond act and finishes strong. It is very pretty and sweet, thanks to Miss Stahl, Hobart's humor and oodles of human interest. Hobart staged the comedy. He doesn't know where it will go next, but eventually hopes to put in into New York. "Moonlight Mary" is the name of the chief character in a maga- zine serial the heroine is writing. "Moonlight Mary" is a girl crook. The audience was enthusiastic and laughed loudly. There is a neat com- edy ending, in which it turns out the supposed erring sister has married. Three of the four local reviewers liked the piece. LEAVITTS BENEFIT TUESDAY. The monster theatrical performance tendered as a testimonial to Mike B. Leavitt, will take place Tuesday after- noon, Jan. 11, at the Manhattan opera house. The show is an imposing one in its present lay-out and, will probably be the biggest affair of its kind ever at- tempted in New York. SHOWS CLOSING. The second company of "Damaged Goods" playing in the west closed at Little Rock, Ark. The company was brought back to New York. The "Peg O' My Heart" company with which Kitty O'Connor was play- ing the lead closed last week. This will be the last of the "Pegs." There were six sent out at the beginning of the season. "WARE CASE" ENDING. "The Ware Case," in which Lou-Tel- legen is starring, which leaves New York for the Majestic theatre, Brook- lyn, Saturday, will bring its season to a close at the latter house Jan. 15. The Garrick Producing Co., the sponsor for "The Ware Case," has two new plays under consideration for the French actor. "STELLA'S" NAME CHANGED. The Gus Hill Musical comedy, "Have You Seen Stella?" launched a few weeks ago, has had its title changed to "Polly and Her Pals," based on the cartoon of the same name. New bits were brought into the piece with the change of name and new paper. The company is playing through the middle west. TWO SHOWS HELPING. The Automobile Show at the Grand Central Palace and the Poultry Show at Madison Square Garden are said to be responsible for the manner in which business is holding up at the theatres this week. The Auto Show is always a great help to the theatres, but coming as it does this year at the same time the poultry exhibition and immediately after the holidays it is of double aid. The cut rate ticket is also holding up for the legit houses. Joe Leblang had his biggest week last week since the cut rate system was reinaugurated. This week indications were that busi- ness would almost reach that of last week. Tlie Times Wednesday estimated New York held 20,000 transients, above the usual quota at this time of the year. CRITERION'S OPENING SHOW. The James K. Hackett-Viola Allen co-starring engagement in New York will open at the Criterion on Feb. 7 with "The Merry Wives of Windsor." Miss Allen's objections to playing the role of Lady Macbeth on the occasion of the premier is responsible for the switch. Mr. Hackett has taken a lease on the Criterion for the balance of this season and will take possession of the house Jan. 26, when it is vacated by the Vitagraph. The latter is said to have lost $50,000 during the last year on the house, which sum has been charged to advertising. SHOWS IN FRISCO. San Francisco, Jan. 5. "The Lie" (second week) at the Cort opened slightly off owing to a heavy rainstorm. The show did good busi- ness last week. The Columbia, with "Daddy Long Legs" in its second week, was also affected by the storm. The Lytell-Vaughn Stock, at the Al- cazar is doing satisfactorily. "SADIE LOVE" CLOSING. "Sadie Love," tke Oliver Morosco farce, will end its engagement at the Gaiety Jan. 15. The piece is by Avery Hopwood who also wrote "Fair and Warmer," the latter one of the biggest farcical hits of the present season. OH! THAT YORK! The York theatre, on 116th street, which started the present season as a legit stand, is now playing burlesque on the same circuit as the Union Square. After completing its career as a legit house a dramatic stock company was installed ^jich opened in "Inside the Lines," for^|ich a royalty of $350 was paid. ^ . The house did about $500 gross on the week with the next week playing to less than $400 gross, with the third still worse. The York has been taken over by a corporation controlled by the Jerome Rosenberg interests and will reopen Monday under a new policy of pictures exclusively.