Variety (December 1916)

VARIETY KIETY Trade- Mark Registered Published Weekly by VARIETY, Inc. SUCK SILVERMAN. Time* New Yerk ADVERTISEMENTS Advertising copy for current issue will be . . _. , , - accepted at the New York office up to Thursday Naugh II OO excUIC. Very few under- least the managers could do, under such conditions, would be to supply m cur- tain raiser as they do in London. That's little enough. "Yiddish" expressions upon the stage are too common. They should be con- fined Ouly to thoevin l£tta«w character entitled to use them. The presumption nearly everyone in a theatre under- stands "Yiddish" is as erroneous as to presume the same for German. „ That each draws what sounds to be a hearty morning. Advertising by mail panted by remittances. should be accom- Annual foreign SUBSCRIPTION Single Copies, 10 cents Entered as second-class matter at New York Vol. XLV. No. 1 Sketch writers, for vaudeville who have big time in view for two or three- people playlets might look up the rec- ords before concluding their output will eventually land there rather 'than on the small time where skits using but two or three characters are more welcomed. Other than perhaps a nov- elty sketch or one where a noted and high salaried actor or actress can hold it up alone, the big time invariably turns down the small casted piece. By the same token it doesn't appear as though sketch writers can give the same "kick" to small cast playlets ihey can to those where a broader scope in the limited time is possible through a more generous distribution of players. Theme and action may be the two po- ' tent items in sketch writing, but in vaudeville salary seems to be the thing. The variety sketchist always figures what may be given for the least money perhaps, with the players wanting the most salary obtainable. That is where the number of people engaged often carries the most weight, everything else b»irjg in accord, unless the sketch is headed by a player of acknowledged ability and earning power. Parodies have grown almost obsolete in better vaudeville in comparison with their vogue at one time. This may be another phase of the paying-singers evil, since no one will pay a singer to sing a parody. A few acts use parodies in the larger houses, but the parody writing of years ago appears to have passed away. Parodies are very enjoy- able, although there is always the ten- dency to blue material which should.be avoided, for parodies in their way are a substitute for the topical song, an- other matter of the vaudeville past for general use. What a parody writer could do with "ukelele"! But it might' be necessarily blue and there isn't much doubt the running riot with parodies in former days for suggestive points had much to do with their discontinuance. It doesn't seem to have occurred to the business concerns that advertise in the theatre urograms they are not re- ceiving full circulation for their money? The single sheets in the balconies con- tain only the cast and exit plan de- manded by the fire department. These sheets do not even mention the music between the acts. There are few "dead- heads" in the balconies and people who can afford to buy theatre tickets should make desirable purchasers of many of the commodities and luxuries adver- tised in amusement programs. Publi- cations seeking advertising patronage usually strive to increase their circula- tion. Here it is with guaranteed dis- tribution and not taken advantage of. stand "Yiddish" and a variety player not in the Hebrew character should employ only language understood by all. The promiscuous use of "Yiddish" is also distasteful to the Hebrew pa- tron, who doesn't pay to hear in a thea- tre what may be funny in his home, but is not on the stage—to him. There is too much "Yiddish" just at present in all show entertainments as a matter of fact Some comedians couldn't be funny without it, either because it fits their face or they know of nothing else. The professional dancer has gone. It was certain he would. Where he has gone to, no one cares. It was a great day for the "Profs." though while it lasted the fellows and the girls. A few sur- vived and made themselves of some value in theatricals, but 95 per cent, have returned to their former occupa- tions, if they retained enough good sense after their wild professional ex- perience to go back to regular work. Perhaps the shining lights of profes- sional dancers, even surpassing the Castle record, are Maurice and Walton. They were among the first and they cer- tainly seem the last, for they have es- tablished themselves at the Hotel Bilt- more. The Castles might have con- tinued as a dancing act, but they didn't, though their fame is enough for other engagements. Many dancers, more or less well known, have drifted into this or that, keeping off the last gasp until the last, but there are hundreds of others who were left behind. The danc- ing restaurant that sent many a blood pressure to above normal did funny things for several classes of people, but there has never .been anything funnier on the stage or Broadway than the sight of the "hicks" if turned out in evening dress. What is the future of motion picture publicity? Is it slowly but surely go- ing the way of theatrical press agentry? Time was when a good theatrical pub- licity promoter was judged by the num- ber of fake stories he could "put over" on the editors of the daily press. To- day his work is confined to imparting, as succinctly as possible, the straight news concerning nis attraction. With the rapid rise of the picture industry there has come into the fiejd a num- ber of so-called directors of publicity who devote most of their energies to sending out "dog stories" that are now obsolete in the older branch of the amusement purveying business. How long Will it be before the picture mag- nates come to a realization of the fu- tility of so much wasted energy on the part of their publicity representatives? The range of things that go to mark a person as a "hick" is infinite, but in theatredom nothing is quite so com- mon or positive as violation of simple grammatical usage. The player, man or woman, may observe all the niceties of dressing and deportment and simply radiate "class" until he or she begins to talk and does violence to the King's English. All the carefully nourished illusion of "class" vanishes and the offender is set down as a "hick." Big time vaudeville is go in? in for class just now and those who would be in the procession must observe the rules. Not infrequently successful performers No .one has called attention to the short 'farces, which more often than not are nothing more than vaudeville have attained their eminence in spite skeUlits slightly elaborated v*it4;-»;<L ••--arf--^-^r5r- or-rarl,--vocational id- plots, commencing at 8.40 and over at vantages. Such oeople should frankly 10L3O. Asking $2 a scat for such an evening's entertainment seems like tak- ing advantage of the good nature of New York's amusement seekers. The recognize their deficiencies and strive by taking instruction to remedy them. The natural sjift of entertaining is rare. Correctness in speech can be acquired with a little effort What a pity that really capable performers will injure their standing in their profession just for a lazy disinclination to take a little pains! The "Sunday" question recently agi- tated through a decision by the New York courts in a moving picture matter arising in an up-state town was very clearly dwelt upon in a New York Times editorial Monday. .The Times said be- fore the vast majority of people would accept the decision as law it would have to be confirmed by the highest court in the state, and if that occurred, the peo- ple would then demand remedial legis- lation. Anyone who sees Sunday as a day for the innocent entertainment of the multitude has the right idea. So many arguments have been and may be advanced why there should be a liberal Sunday there is nothing new that need be added in favor of it. The saloon argument alone should be suffi- cient for any community. While the church-going or reform element is in- fluential in affairs involving a Sunday violation (where theatres are con- cerned) even they must recognize the good that is accomplished by the masses being allowed to visit places of amusement on the very day of all the week that offers the greatest tempta- tions if they are kept upon the streets. Vivian WmwII return* to "Nothlnf But the Truth'* Monday. Arthur Hopkins hat gone to French Lick tor ton day*. "Tho Mimic World/' with 82 people, opene on tho Loew time peat week. Harry Vivian, the sharpehooter, le oooflned to the New York Hospital duo to an operation. Leon Do Coeta has oevered hla connections with the Maxim P. Lowe Producing Corp. Tho "Cohan Revue of 1016," which was laid oft last week, resumed Its tour Monday. Elisabeth Meredith has changed her name to Elisabeth Shirley (Shirley and Bond) play- ing the Orpheum Circuit. The Royal. Bronx, will nave a "Festival" Christmas week, with Rock and White, return date, headlining. Belle D'Arcy has left the stock company In New Bedford, and Carl T. JaeMkon left the Poll stock. New Haven. Grace Goodwin Is In Florida for a vacation* having completed 68 weeks with various Amer- loan Burlesque Wheel shows. Mrs. Toggle (Toggle and Daniels) Is In ths hospital in Denver. She suffered a broken leg while playing to that city repently. Lefflor 4 Brattons' fourth company of "Very Good Eddie" opened Monday In Vine- land, N. J. Minerva Coverdale sailed Wednesday for London, having been placed with Albert de Courville through Harry Fltsgerald. Tho Klncalde, Qulncy, Mass.. has discon- tinued vaudeville, now playing dramatlo stock. Marie Lavarre may leave the "Show of Wonders" at the Winter Garden, to join an- other Sbubert production to go to London. Fayette Perry Is going to Australia under the Tate management to appear In "Very Good Eddie." Fred Zimmerman, Jr., has placed "Pals First" with William Courtlelgh In tho leading role in rehearsal. Charles Roecom, manager of the Chicago Stock Co., was In New Tork this week to secure new plays. *» The Langdons, who left "The Century Girl" during rehearsals, will go over the Pantages time. Carter De Haven purchased a large tract of land In Avernell, N. J., this week, on specu- lation. Sylvia Loyal did not withdraw from the Palace bill last week. Tbe act was Alfred Loyal. Suzanne Jackson retired from "Arms and tbe Girl" when that attraction closed at tho Fulton Saturday. Frederick Hand has replaced Harry Hol- Ring show. "Turn to the Right" for Chicago will open at the Grand opera house, that city. Jan. 14, first starting at Baltimore Christmas week and following with Washington. H. Percy Meldon, dlretoor of the Winifred St. Claire Stock, at the Empire, Peterson. N. J., has been forced to temporarily retire on account of Mm Van and Schenok at the Century ("Tho Century Girl") commenced singing a new song, "Yaddle Kaddle Kiddie Kaddle Koo" thie week. Roohm A Richards have placed J. P. Ned- bury, a writer from the coast* under contract to write vaudeville material exclusively for them for five years. Jane Gibson has temporarily replaced Mrs. Will Hanlon In the Hanlon Brothers' act, owing to tbe latter suffering from appendi- citis. Louie Lavine, New Tork representative for the Fred Mardo Circuit, has returned to New York after spending a week at the Boston headquarters. The Lyrlo, Newark, N. J., is now playing ten sots booked by Joe Bckl. The house has been playing pictures and before that played vaudeville. Everett Shlnn has been commissioned by Robert Campbell to design the scenic models for "In for the Night," which will be built by Ernest Gros. ' "Cutis Vincent, forced to leave "Step Lively" (act) In Boston through illness, re- turned to the company at the Palaoe, Brook- lyn, this week. Minna Gale Haynes will give her second dramatic recital at the Hotel Plasa next Wednesday. These recitals are to be a fort- nightly feature at this hotel. Olia Oliver, Chicago stock producer, and Ruth Sanderson, his wife, have been sepa- rated by a divorce decree granted by Justice Des Voge, Van Buren County, Mich. Mrs. Oliver was a non-professional. The mother lodge of the Theatrical Me- chanics' Association (No. 1 of New Tork) will give a ball at the Amsterdam opera house next Monday night for the benefit of Its slok and death fund. A diagram book of New York's leading the- atres together with athletic fields and con- cert balls, has been published by "What's Ooing On." The diagram book Is very com- plete and useful. It sells for GO cents. The opening of "My Soldier Boy." at ths Astor, has been postponed from Monday to Wednesday of ^ext week. The reason for the postponraent was the Bernhardt opening at the Empire Monday. ' ■*. —— J. Fred Zimmerman, Jr., is getting ready to produce a play. Just what the piece Is he won't tell, but he has already started engag- ing the csst, and among those that have been signed is Edith Luckett. F. F. e?roctor has taken over the Astor, Plainfield, N. J., and Installed a straight picture policy. The house was formerly oper- ated by Frank G. Hall. The other Proctor house In Plainfield la also playing pictures. Meryon Vadle, dancer, Is In the Presby- terian hospital. New York. In a serious con- dition with, peritonitis. The time of Meryon Vadle and Ota Gygl for the Immediate future has been canceled. Jake Boh re r, leader of the orchestra at Keith's. Cincinnati, is to undergo an oper- ation for appendicitis. Louis Beers, super- intendent at the same house, is convalescing after an attack of neuritis. Mrs. Jessie Mae Brown denies that It was In her establishment at 842 West 45th street. New York, that Alexander Winkler committed suicide recently. Winkler never stopped there, she declares. Lillian Russell may not play vaudeville after all this season. She Is insistent the managers pay her $2,750 weekly In all the- atres she plays, not, an they wish to do, that amount In some and $2,500 In others. Tbe committee selected to arrange for the annual ball of Theatrical Protective Union No. 1 consists of James Bass, chairman, E. H. Convey, secretary and treasurer, and Wal- ter bass. No date has been set for the affair as yet. Tbe Mlttenthals have obtained the southern rights for "Flora Bella" from John Cort John J. Scholl Is casting tho company. This will be virtually a fourth company of the show to be sent out this month, Mr. Cort rehearsing two road companies at present. J. H. Aloz, the Canadian manager booking tho Franrals theatres In Montreal and Quebec, has discontinued booking acts from Now York, all acts being booked through hie Montreal office. In the past the main portion of the shows have been booked In New York. The i orni-r of 47th Mr<l and Seventh ave- and Wolphin's restaurant) will be sold at public autclon In January to settle the estate of the late Michael De Lacy. The property adjoins the Palace theatre.