Variety (December 1916)

ft VARIETY ..... ■ ——— ————_*-»►-•_ '. CABARETS A sign of good times should be seen in the business now being done by Broadway restaurants. At Rector's, for instance, the crush is such the house is ahead on gross receipts $45,000 for this November against the same month a year ago. The gain itself would be big business. Rector's is giving a full, faBt show from midnight until one, crowding a large number of varied acts into the time, in addition to the revue numbers. The show is made nearly all girly. Among the specialties are an acrobatic dog act and a bicyclist. The show may be the attraction for there is an overflow into the ballroom nightly, obliging a double row of tables on the new raised dance floor. One of the admi tted attractions of Rector's is Earl FtBfcr's orchestra of eight pieces. Mr. Fuller has sent his combination into the front ranks of musicians. Each man is a star on his instrument and there are two or three in the bunch who could do solo work as turns if required. In the Fuller orchestra are Joe Raymond, violinist-director, who carries the men along in a rhythmic manner that never fails to nKin many encores; Joe Giboson, a rag violinist, who has not been excelled by any rag string player to date; Frank Copie and Phillip Bardi, banjo and violin, and those boys can make the banjos hum; Sig Newman, "The Incomparable Sax- ophonist"; Harold Potter, violinist; Frank Falco, bass saxophone, and Earl Fuller, drummer and leader. Major Wallace McCutcheon, of the English army, is in New York again, wearing a black cap on his head to cover a wound received on the firing line. He is home on three months leave of absence to recover, but it is unlikely he will be able to remove the cap within six months. Saturday night a dinner was given the Major > at Healy's. Active service in the war has not impaired Wally McCutcheon's dancing though he has grown a trifle stouter. McCutchson was about the first from this side to -enlist. He is a native American (Brooklyn) and his action in leaving New York to join the English forces must have been welcome news to the English actors in America. McCutcheon when going into service was the driver of an ambulance. His promotion rank by rank to Major was for bravery and from all accounts' it stands unparalleled in this stupen- dous war, that of an alien with the fighting forces reaching the high rank McCutcheon has been awarded. "The Tramps" is the name of a new social organization, among whose or- ganizers are: Margaret Illington, lanche Bates, Margaret Wycherly, Margaret Mayo, Helen Tyler, Irvin Cobb, Holbrook Blinn, Grantland Rice, Rupert Hughes, Edgar Selwyn, James Montgomery Flagg and Bayard Veil- ler. It will hold a series of dances, the first of which will take place at Healy's Log Cabin, Dec. 7, at midnight. The second, for which a date has not as yet been set, will take place at the Auto- mat, the club having taken the base- ment of the building, and will install an orchestra for the occasion at its own expense. Helen Bourne Wreen and John Murray Anderson will direct the dances. Through the prosecution of the Chil- dren's Society "Prof." Joseph Small, a teacher of dancing, pleaded guilty of having children under leeal age make public appearances in dances. He*was sentenced lu pav a fine of $200 or spend 20 day?; ;;; jail. Last .July Sural! was found using young girls and a boy in a dancing act at the Garden restaurant. He had birth certificates showing the children were over 16 years of age. In- vestigation proved that he was using birth certificates of other children whom he had formerly employed. Through the case Muriel Hallock, who had been separated from her father for sometime was restored to his guardian- ship. The girl was about 14 years of age. Reisenweber*s new addition may open in a couple of weeks, but assuredly be- fore New Year's. It will be in charge of Margaret Hawkesworth, formerly at the Hotel Plaza. The former Hawaiian Room at Reisenweber's, under Eddie Pidgeon's guiding hand, has been con- verted into an Arabian Room, with rugs plentifully hung around the walls. Mr. Pidgeon got "atmosphere" immediately in the rearrangement and it is a pleas- ant change. There are several high class vocalists in Arabian costumes and Lea Copeland is supplying the rag sing- ing and piano playing. Ortillie Preto- rious, known as Lady Ortillie, is danc- ing there. She claims to know 55 dif- ferent styles of dances and has a cos- tume for each one. An action brought by Antonio Ma- caluso, senior member of the firm of Andre & Sherri, against Gus Edwards for $123, claimed due on costumes furnished Edwards for his revue at the Hotel Martinique, was settled this week in the Municipal Court with a judgment of $23 granted the'plaintiff. Macaluso contended Edwards owed him $123 on the costumes, but receipts were displayed by Edwards, showing Tie had paid all but $23, which he was witholding until certain repairs to the costumes was attended to. House, Grossman & Vorhaus represented Ed- wards. Cabaret bookings this week by Billy Curtis included Leona Guerney (Shan- ley's); Lubowska (Rector's); Rose Francis (Clarendon); Gladys Lorraine (Ritz, 125th street); Mile. Gulli (Ritz, Brooklyn); Red Feather, Sophie Becker (Marlborough); Grossman Twins (Old Teck, Buffalo); Moriarity Sisters (Beaux Arts, Atlantic City); Rogers and Wood (Garden); Ella James Shultz ; Belle Barron (Lorber's); Loviletta, Gladys Norton, Oakes and Denour (Boulevard). IN THE TRENCHES "Daredevil Jack" Austin, •moving- picture "s*unt" man, who lias done 40-foot leaps on horr-!~-^: • tv 1 - sir ^' : ;-•*-- -j hrnd --. -- V»ww^. down from the Equitable Building in New York, has written to his relatives over here Ik- has r.rrnyi rnS irt.tp v..\ujn.i* rrctiveA on thr frnnr and is returning from an English hospital to the trenches on the Somme. "Jack" is the lower hand figure reading Variety. The others are British troopers. "Jack' couldn't get thrills enough risking his neck hefore the camera at home. He went to the war zone in search of adventure. Charles A. McGee, director of the new Clarendon Beach. Chicago, has sub- mitted a plan to the City Council Com- mittee which has accepted it whereby the Clarendon will be turned into a winter resort. The sandy beach is to be flooded for ice skating, the lobby floor waxed for dancing and concrete- floored promenade used for roller skat- ing. All at popular prices. A statement by George E. Green, State Commissioner of Excise, brought rather gloomy information to the res- taurant and cabaret men last week to the effect that no all nigh^t licenses could be issued legally between mid- night Saturday, Dec. 30 and 1 A. M. Tuesday, Jan. 2 in cities of the first and second class. In the Suffolk County Court at Riverhead, L. I., John Dunsmore, a cabaret artist, received a judgment of $1,000 against the Hotel Shelburne, Brighton Beach. Dunsmore, who sued for $1,395, had a contract for the sea- son at the Shelburne, but was dismissed after several weeks. No notice of ap- peal is expected. Noval Baptie and Gladys Lamb wound up their engagement last week at the Winter Garden (a San Fran- cisco skating rink), leaving immedi- ately for the east. They may be seen at the Ice Skating Palace (Fifty-second street and Broadway), New York. The couple carry a number of skating girls besides themselves. upon terms with the lessees of the place. Concern is felt over what arrange- ments are* to be made for New Year's by St. Louis restaurants. Management of most resorts, however, declare they will open as usual and will take orders in advance, serving drinks only between twelve and one, as is customary Sun- day evenings. The Montmartre affair had not been adjusted up to Wednesday. Clifford C. Fischer and the Shuberts, who are in court over the restaurant, could not agree along lines suggested by the judge. Both sides are awaiting a final court decision that may or may not in- clude an appointment of a receiver. It looks certain 1.30 New Year's Eve will be the dead line for service in New York restaurants. There was some hope the doors might then be locked and those inside allowed to re- main, but the restaurant men' believe now they will have to close promptly at that hour. Marie Connors, who ranks as one of the long distance piano playing sharks, is back at Joel's, after an absence of two years. She has been one of the entertainers at the Chile resort for the past ten years on and off. The Bismarck Gardens, Chicago, are on the "unfair to organized labor" list, placed there by the Chicago Federation, the Gardens refusing to employ union waiters and accede to certain demands made by the organization. The Grossman Sisters, conspicuous around Broadway for several months through being twins and dressing alike, have been secured for the cabaret by Billy Curtis. Some ofthe cabarets in Chicago that had an idea the city officials would close one eye New Year's eve, have re- ceived strict orders from the police to the contrary. Bustanoby's 39th street reopened this week, with Andrea Bustanoby as man- ager, the place having been dark about a week. A newly formed company is Jl25£i!18L. tnc jejuvenated venture. Bert Kelly is an established favorite at the College In;;. Hotel Sh-ermais, Chicago, where his dance orchestra and "Jass Band" are a feature. Paul Salvain has not taken over Castles-in-the-Air. He CQuld not agree Harry K. Thaw made his first ap- pearance around Broadway in some time, Saturday, when he attracted con- siderable attention at several cabarets. Marshall Hall and Louise Sterling have been engaged by Mrs. Farone to dance at Lea Fleures, succeeding Clif- ton Webb and his partner. E. M. Brauner has taken oyer Bus- tanoby's (63d street) and will open un- der the name of "Oh, Caprice. Mabel Jones, recovered from tonsili- tis, will snortly return to the revue at the Deoch and Doris. Bassett and Chapelle, figure skaters, and Grace Allen are now appearing at the Winter Garden for a brief period. Business at the Winter Garden, Chi- cago, is, on the increase. Helen Flint is now in the revue there. Healy's "Golden Glades" on the top floor of the Healy restaurant building - opens tonight (Friday). * Louise Alexander is dancing profes- sionally at Woodmansten Inn. AMERICAN'S NEXT. The American Burlesque Association entered into negotiations this week to secure an additional New York theatre. The name would not be divulged, but is expected the house will be added within a few weeks. The American has only the Olympic, New York* and Star and Gayety, Brooklyn, in Greater New York. REEVES 9 RECORD BEATEN. Cleveland, Nov. 29. "Hello New York" now holds the, record of the box office at the Star theatre here. The record has been broken twice recently. Al Reeves first did it. The Star, a rather small house, is doing a big business. It got between $6,000 and $7,000 last week. HAYMARKET STOCK. Chicago, Nov. 29. Art H. Moeller, manager of the Hay- market, who has his own company, x "The Merry Maidens/ at the house this week, has made arrangements to in- stall burlesque stock. He will start the plan next Sunday when he also plays two acts of vaudeville from the West- ern Vaudeville Managers' Association. Moeller will retain his present com- pany at the Haymarket and has en- gaged Mr. and Mrs. Sam Michaels^to produce his shows. i AMERICAN IN DULUTH. ' The American wheel burlesque shows will play three days in Duluth, com- mencing Dec. 10. The shows will go from St. Paul to Duluth, opening there Sunday and playing the two days fol- lowing. The remainder of the week consists of one nighters into Kansas City. Empress, Denver, Now Aas'n Booked. Chicago, Nov. 29. The Empress, Denver, owned and operated by the Tammen-Bonfils inter- ests, and for a long time an important link on the Sullivan-Considine circuit, has been added to the books of the Western Vaudeville Managers' Associa- tion and commencing next week will have a six-act show playing full weeks. The house will be booked by Harry Miller. Terre Hav^Sw.dwxs. Only, Terre Haute, Ind., Nov. 29. rcginniiir* last Sunday the American Burlesque Wheel attractions will make their only stand here on the Sabbath in- stead of nlaving three davs. If you don't advortlso In VARIETY, don't advortlM.