Variety (January 1916)

LEGITIMATE. li - ■ ■ ■ STTTT AMONG OTHER THINGS By ALAN DALE "Bolm, perhaps the most famous of the male Russian dancers, danced de- spite a severe cold, that would have kept many other artists in bed."—Daily paper. I have it on excellent authority that Caruso, in spite of very painful corns, persisted in singing in "Pagliacci," the other night, at the Metropolitan. I never objected to reading my re- views printed around Lydia Pinkham advertisements. I thought it lent a "feminine interest." But I really don't like to see "Sore Teeth" among the amusements in the Sunday papers. It looks like a horrid sequel to "Damaged Goods." "Miss Ruth St. Denis aids boys." She aided one by marrying him, which is about as far as altruism can go, I should say. It appears she has just discovered a boy on the "east side" called Sam Ades, and that, at the Boys' Club, on Avenue A, Sam Ades aids Ruth in aiding boys. All of which is so "young and wholesome" as critics say of box-office failures. "Richard Watson Tully has undertak- en to write a play for production at the Lyric theatre on Labor Day by the Messrs. Shubert."—New York Herald. I don't know what that means, but I'm sure it is something very subtle. A "play on Labor Day by the Messrs. Shubert" promises to be exceedingly interesting. As the press agent would say, it will be "new and novel.* >* George M. Cohan has written a "pome" called "It's Great to Be Great." O* course this doesn't apply to man- agers, actors, or vaudeville artists. They are perfectly satisfied with thinking they're great, which is easier, and just as satisfactory. The New Thought teaches that what you think you are, you are! So don't bother about being great; just think it. And you dot You know you dot When Marie Tempest sang in vaude- ville at the Palace last week, she didn't "offer" duets with Graham Browne. It is therefore safe to infer that Mr. Browne can't sing a note. Nor did he accompany her in her nightingale flights. Mr. Melville Ellis was on hani with first aid to the lonely, and the harrowing absence of Browne lost some of its sting. The only thing lacking in the "real- ism" of the play at the Maxine Elliott theatre, called "The Pride of Race," was the display of the twilight sleep pictures that were recently shown at another house. These might have been effectively introduced into the Hilliard drama, as a feature of its one obstetri- cal act. In those pictures a very cute and lively colored baby was twilighted into the world. pear in a $300,000 "picturization" of Cecil Raleigh's melodrama, "The Price of Peace," in real money. At for the other rumor—well, I believe that Crane owns the right to "A Fool and His Money." Miss Elsie Janis has a private ice- pond at her home in Tarrytown. How furtive and secluded! In my mind's eye, I see Mommer Janis, wearing all the family jewels, including tiaras and pearl necklaces, taking lessons from the English chauffeur, to whom she once introduced me, while little Elsie imi- tates Charlotte, in her vicinity. Mommer Janis met Martha Hedman quite recently and was very sweet and affectionate with her. "I saw your per- formance in 'The Boomerang,'" she de- clared joyously, "and I just love your brogue.' i» Poor Sarah! I saw her "Jeanne Dore" picture, and I tried not to be morbid. However, every time she rose, and was about to move, my attention was riveted. The film gave little sat- isfaction in that respect. It "switched" her to her destination, and let us guess how she got there. I was disgusted with my own pathological interest Af- ter all, legs are fearfully commonplace. I don't believe that there is any "bridge of thighs" in "Town Topics," the new Winter Garden show. I hope, however, that I am mistaken, as I love to think of the "bridge of thighs" as an institution that is here to stay. Its intimacy is so keen. And there's a "punch"—in fact, almost a "pinch"—to it The screens can give lessons to the drammer all the time. In the "Tempta- tion" picture, the murdered man, just before he dies, writes a note saying, "Maroff killed me." That simplifies everything. In the "legit." such an easy way out of it all would have been scoffed at, and we should have had an- other of those beastly courtroom scenes. Every well-murdered gentleman should have the decency to elucidate "myster- ies." It is the least he can do. The one paper in New York that doesn't admit the existence of dramatic critics is the paper that always furn- ishes a list of the poor wretches that are "among those present." Of course, it is necessary to give the news—as the saying is—but is it kind? Is it grace- ful? Nobody would ever guess that dramatic critics were present at many of the openings, if this one paper that doesn't believe in 'em, maintained a dis- creet silence. Why rub it in? There is no truth in the repo "t that Henry Ford has been engaged to ap- "RUGGLES" LEAVING. "Ruggles of Red Gap" will close at the Fulton to-morrow night and be succeeded by Rose Stahl in "Moon- light Mary" opening Monday. The show goes to the Majestic, Bos- ton, next week. SHOW PEOPLE IN WRECK. Sioux City, S. D., Jan. 25. A railroad train carrying the "Robin Hood" opera company was wrecked at 8 o'clock Monday morning when the temperature registered five degrees below zero. The car carrying the pro- fessionals landed on its side at the foot of an embankment Ten of the company are under medi- cal care at Sioux Falls, S. D., where the troupe were scheduled to appear that night m ThoSe in the wreck include Phil Bran- son and wife, Josephine Vallis, Manuel Vallis, H. E. Smith and wife, E. G. Wall, Grace Wall, Lugi De Francisco. Daniel Abatti, Sol Solomon, Gene Hen- drick, Caroline Andrews, H. L. Water- ous and Amy Wall. SALARIES NOT REGULAR. The small town managers who in the past have been in the custom of paying their house staff a regular weekly sal- ary during the season have decided to abolish the plan and put in a rule in its place saying the men will only be paid on nights the house holds shows. In the past it has been the custom for the out-of-town manager to induct? suitable men for his house to come to his town by giving them a weekly sal- ary for so many weeks. This has in- cluded stage crew, musicians and assist- ant box office men. These men have taken their families with them and in many cases have made their homes in the various towns for several years. BAD STORM IN LOS ANGELES. Los Angeles, Jan. 19. The storm and flood, commencing last Saturday, did not cease until yes- terday, leaving transportation facilities around the town in a tangle. Several advance men cannot leave the city and may have to remain here several days. "It Pays to Advertise" is overdue from San Diego and may have to change its date. "Daddy Long Legs** opened Monday night at the Mason during a cloudburst. A scant attend- ance was there. The La Scala Grand Opera (with Alice Neilsen out of the cast) got a fair opening Monday, considering the elements. The Burbank, remodeled, opened to a packed house Saturday night with a Triangle picture program. CRAWFORD IN OLD SHOW. The Shuberts are to present Clifton Crawford in a revival of "All Over Town," the musical comedy which was the starring vehicle of Joseph Santley. The piece is to be placed into re- hearsal shortly. Gil Wells, who was in the present Winter Garden show, left Saturday to join the Crawford show. Ml 'DREAMS" PEOPLE MARRY. Chicago, Jan. 19. Dorothy Quinette, a Chicago girl, and Barette Greenwood, principals, of "When Dreams Come True" were mar- ried last week in Blue Earth, Wis. The show is in St. Paul this week, where Mrs. Greenwood is reported as leaving the cast. WORM ABOUT THROUGH. The reports around agree A. Toxin Worm is practically finished as a press representative of any importance for the Shuberts. Worm is somewhere in the north, traveling ahead of "Quinncys," a Shu- bert attraction. For that work he re- ceives $200 weekly, though a $60 man could attend to it equally as well The Shuberts sent Worm on the road, it is said, after he and J. J. Shubert al- most went to the mat when expressing mutually frank opinions of one anoth- er. The belief has gained ground Worm will not again be active in the councils of the Shuberts, nor probably with them after the expiration of his con- tract. The brothers are said to blame him for the Shuberts' break with the New York Times, which is a very seri- ous matter for the Shuberts with their many New York theatres. And again it is said Worm commenced to issue or disobey orders without consulting either of the Shubert boys. SHOWS IN CHICAGO. Chicago, Jan. 19. Two new shows of the present list in Chicago seem to have impressed most favorably. Of these the newest is "Young America," the Cohan & Harris play, which opened at the Grand Sunday night. Business his been good since the opening. The other play is "A Pair of Silk Stockings," starting last week at the Princess, and business has Increased right along until now Mort H. Singer (who owns the controlling stock in the Princess) says that the show will re- train at the house all winter. The grand opera season closes at the Auditorium this week. Business has been off the past 10 days and the house had a "bargain week" last week, reduced the prices, but didn't do the business expected. Ziegfeld's "Follies," "Experience" and "Bunker Bean" report box office prosperity. William Gillette is doing fairly well. David Warfield opens at Powers' Monday in "Van Der Decken" for a four weeks' engagement and there was a brisk demand for seats when the ad- vance sale opened Monday. "Chin Chin" opens Jan. 30 at the Illinois, following "Follies." SHOWS IN FRISCO. San Francisco, Jan. 19. "Twin Beds" played to over $10,000 gross last week at the Cort, despite the stormy weather. Present indications promise a big week this week, and a highly successful engagement on the local trip. "The Birth of a Nation" leaves the Savoy this week. It has done excep- tionally well on its return. The stock housed at the Alcazar keeps on to continuous good returns. "House of Glass" on Tour. "The House of Glass" is to leave the Candler theatre early next month af- ter having played at that house since the opening of the current season. The attraction is billed at the Btoox opera house for Feb. 27.