Variety (December 1916)

'-,.*TH. i'&rHr ■- — L E G I TIMAT E. -14- BIG GUARANTEES STILL RULE BROADWAY THEATRE SEEKERS With Nine Houses Now Operating Under This System There Is No Apparent Lessening of Demand. Pulton Taken Over This Week With $3,300 Assured House for Four Weeks. If there exists any argument against the erection of more theatres in New York let someone try to secure one in the immediate future at any reason- able price. The moment a current at- traction shows any sign of apathy the lessee of the theatre housing it is in- undated with requests for "open time." At the present time no less than nine metropolitan theatres are disposed of on either a straight rental basis or a guarantee of minimum amount for the house's share. Arnold Daly in "The Master" leaves the Fulton at the end of next week and, through Sanger & Jordan, the house has been leased for four weeks to the producer of a new farce comedy at a weekly rental of $3,300. Julia Arthur's engagement at the Criterion calls for a rental of $3,500 a week. The Lasky photoplay production of "Joan the Woman" at the 44th Street is for an indefinite run, to continue so long as $3,500 is forthcoming every week. The Coburn Players have the Harris theatre -for ten weeks for their pro- duction of "The Yellow Jacket^ at $2,500 a week. "Intolerance" is guaranteeing the Liberty $2,500 a week. William Fox has the Lyric for one year at $3,000 a week guaranteed, and in the event "A Daughter of the Gods" falls below a paying figure he has one or two other big film features to re- place it ^ The Gertrude Kingston-Neighbor- hood Players paid $4,000 a week for two weeks at the Elliott. "Mile a Minute Kendall'' at the Ly- ceum is paying $3,500 a week for its engagement there. William A. Brady gives the Park management the first $2,000 for the run of "Little Women," taking the sec- ond $2,000 and then sharing equally. SCHEFF SHOW REORGANIZED. Philadelphia, Dec. 27. The Fritzi Scheff show, "Husbands Guaranteed," has been reorganized since closing here and will reopen Fri- day night at Sharon. Pa., then going to Wilmington. Miss Scheff remains in the lead, with her husband, George An- derson managing. The music of the piece was written by Gus Kleineke, who leads the orchestra and is said to have a financial interest. The show opened Dec. 4 at Syracuse, playing Rochester three days for the remainder of that week, then showing here for two weeks, the company of about 26 having rehearsed three weeks before opening. Joseph M. Herbert, Jr., who with Lillian Goldsmith appeared in the Fritzi Scheff show, "Husbands Guar- anteed," stated in New York this week neither he nor Miss Goldsmith would rejoin the company. Mr. Herbert claim- ing they had received but one week's salary. "Mike" Bows. New Haven, Dec. 27. "The Love of Mike" had its initial ^presentation Monday at the Shubert here, urwTei *s*/C^aoio.7^7'*T;J T"!!!.:*«"»i»Vk Marbury ana* tlie Sluiherts, who £hv« a Christmas dinner to the company after the first performance. The book is by Thomas Sydney, lyrics by Harry B. Smith, and music by Jerome Kern. In the company ap- pear Mollie Mclntyre, Vivian Wessel, Pegg Wood, Allison McBain, Leone Morgan, Luella Gear { Helen Clarke, Hilda Koch and Lillian Allen; Law- rence Grossmith, George Hassel, Clif- ton Webb, Quentin 'Tod, A. EL Ed- wards, Jack Sohn and A. E. Spronston. SHUBERTS GET ANN MURDOCK. When Ann Murdock makes her next appearance behind the footlights it will be under the management ol the Shu- 1 berts, according to an agreement that is said to have been completed Wednes- day. Miss Murdock rose to stardom under.the Charles Frohman banner, but a misunderstanding as to the type of plays selected for her, according to a statement the star issued some weeks ago caused a rupture. "PALS FIRST" INTERESTING. Hartford, Conn., Dec. 27. J. Fred Zimmerman presented "Pals First" at Parson's, Christmas night. It makes a good holiday show. In three acts and a prolog, the play is" the work of Lee Wilson Dodd, based on Perry Elliott's novel. It characters have the stamp of sincerity and much of the dialog is clever. "CANARY COTTAGE" UKED. Montreal, Dec. 27. "Canary Cottage," shown here Christmas day, was liked. The piece, produced by Oliver Morosco some time ago on the Pacific Coast, is headed for an opening in New York during Jan- uary. The music is the kind that lingers. In the company are Trixie Friganza, Dorothy Welsh^ Lucy Chartres Rug- glis, Herbert Corthrell and Ergotti's Midgets. GUARANTEEING "BLONDES." Matt Grau sailed yesterday for Ha- vana to complete the details in con- nection with the advent of his "All Blondes" musical stock organization in that city. He is going to obtain a subscription for the project from one of the Cuban banks and the Governmenf will give a guarantee for whatever balance is re- quired to bring the company to the island republic. NEW LEGIT PRODUCERS. Incorporation papers have been filed by the Plymouth Producing Co., which will enter the legitimate field. Ezra Eddy, Lea Herrick and Joseph Noel are behind the enterprise. A dramatic piece will be#placed in rehearsal shortly. Kingsbury Returning to Chicago. George Kingsbury, who was asso- ciated with Joseph Brooks in the capa- city of manager has been engaged by Smith and Golden in a like capacity for the "Turn to the Right" company which goes to Chicago. Mr. Kings- bury managed the Chicago opera house there for a number of years. Isadora Duncan Leaves for Cuba. Isadora Duncan sailed for Cuba last week, suddenly abandoning her trip to ' *».r.*^.--Ai...~ y ^" m ziu. m ^r c ♦*\* theatres t-nx.-4.2-d ■■«: -the \vr.>» .cillfd f:*.r :» four- week cancellation notice, which was accepted, but a number of managers have refused to postpone the engage- ment. $100 9 000 DAMAGE CASE. Maria Castel, formerly of the ballet at the Opera Comique, Paris, has start- ed an action through Henry J. and Frederic Goldsmith against the French Line as a result of injuries sustained on the "Rochambeau" in mid-ocean Nov. 21, while on her way to this country from France. The dancer was on her way here to fulfill a contract with the Metropolitan Opera Company. She is asking for $100,000 damages because of the faulty diagnosis, as she alleges, of her injuries by the ship's physician. Miss Castel states that while the steamer was in mid-ocean she fell, as a result of a wet deck, and that the ship-doctor on examination stated that she was suffering from a slight sprain. Since she has discovered a double frac- ture of the right knee-cap, and is a patient in the French Hospital, uXable to perform under her contract. SHOWS IN LOS ANGELES. Los Angeles. Dec 27. The Ballet Russe opened Sunday to the biggest first night audience of the season. The house was sold out days before. The second company of "Hit-the- Trail Holliday" got away to a good start. The advance sale at the Mason opera house as well as the opening promise a big week. Manager Duggan of the "Holliday" company declare re* turns here have surpassed anything on the road. SHUBERTC SUNDAY SHOWS. The Shuberts are going to give spe- cial (single) performances in three of their houses New Year's Eve. The houses are the Winter Garden, Casino and the Astor. The majority of acts that appear at one house are to show at the others. "STRINGS" OUT. Because of the inability to obtain a New York theatre, and .also to fulfill his contract, Ernest Shuter was forced to send his new comedy "Strings" to the road for three weeks of one-night- ers, beginning Christmas Day at Al- toona, Pa. The sale of the English rights to Herbert Jay creates a precedent, it be- ing claimed that foreign rights have not previously been bought before a premiere. The cast of "Strings" has Fritz Jan- islaw, Ben Nathan, Milka Janislaw, Rozeska Janislaw, Lizie Wilson, Mari- on Dentler, Camille Fonce, Jean Gau- thier, Boris Bezdoroko, Joseph Stan- hope, Giovabbi D'Andrea, Marie D'An- drea, Leo Frankel, Paul Leeds. Alexan- der Mix, Ernita Mix, Oswald Baird, Delaro Belasco, Foxhall Daingerfield, Roxanne Lansing and Thomas Robin- son. Perhaps Fields Forgot Law Suit Trenton, N. J., Dec. 27. Notwithstanding Al G. Fields, who has the minstrel troupe, commenced a suit for $10,000 against Montgomery Mosses about a year ago through Moses conceiting the Fields Minstrels, that same organization is due to appear at Moses' Trent theatre here Jan. 12-13. Belasco Starts on "Santa Claus." Active work has begun on the Wil- lard Mack play, "Alias Santa Claus," by David Belasco. Rehearsals start next month. The piece will open out of town in February and may find a berth at the Lyceum, although it is probable that it will remain out for the balance of the season. Combinations at Park. Rumor has it that the Park theatre will shortly inaugurate a policy of com- binations, changing its attractions weekly and charging dollar top. Then .1.;.., ,r,*-*rr.-.\*.. *4w?*»»r<—- ^ ■ ■ *,-,■ r:,«A,vrgJ productions inr riins. at fi.i* satiic priors. If you don't advertise In VARIETY, don't advertise. SHEEHAN SHELVES "MARTHA.- Chicago, Dec. 27. Joseph Sheehan, the tenor, was in Chicago last week and arranged to shelve "Martha," offering instead for a ten weeks' tour. "II Trovatore." Shee- han opens with the latter Jan. 21 at Gary. He has specially engaged Mile. uary Nelfi Gardini to play Leonora. HARRY LEONI DIES! Harry Leoni, assistant general man* ager of the American Burlesque Asso- ciation, died at his home in New York Christmas morning. Mr. Leoni had suffered from heart trouble, aggravated by an attack of the grip, which hastened his death. He had attended to business up to a few days before he passed away. Mr. Leoni came to this country from Australia about 35 years ago and ap- peared in variety theatres all over the country playing the principal comedy parts in the afterpieces in vogue In those days. Subsequently he aban- doned acting and with his wife. Ruby Leoni, entered the employ of Robert Manchester, as manager of Manches- ter's burlesque shows, Mrs. Leoni ap- pearing in prima donna roles. Three years aso Mr. Leoni, in asso- ciation with Manchester, built and operated a picture house in Painsville, Ohio. This venture proved unsuccess- ful and was given up at the end of the second season when the directors of the American Burlesque Association made • Mr. Leoni assistant to general manager George Peck. Funeral services were held from the deceased's home, 1452 St. Nicholas ave- nue, Wednesday afternoon. MILLER'S PLAY AT LYCEUM, Succeeding "Kendall" at the Lyceum wUl be Henry Miller's production of "His Wife's Husband." This play, which has Marie Tempest and Laura Hope Crewe, is by an American author. A. E. Thomas, but 'is now running in London. Charles Frohman was to Date presented "The Laughter of Fools" at the Lyceum, but upon Francis Wil- son's sudden desertion from the cast, the piece was shelved and the Miller play substituted. WHO DID? Who holds the burlesque receipt rec- ord at Cleveland? and who did $6,985.70 there in one week. VxRiirrr printed Barney Gerard did both. Now steps to the fore Henry P. Dixon who offers to wager $1,000, it was his show that got the amount in Cleveland in 1912. No one covering Mr. Dixon's money, he will be considered the winner under the latest approved rules. LAST SHOW IN PEOPLE'S. Cincinnati, Dec. 27. The last performance to be given in the People's theatre will occur Satur- day night, when a benefit will be ten- dered James Douglass, age 50, a retired actor, who managed the first production ever in that house. The "For Sale" sign is hanging out- side the theatre. STOCKS OPENING. Philadelphia^ Dec. 27. The new Dixie in Mannyunk, a suburb of this city, opened with stock Monday. Smythe Wallace is the lead- ing man. The opening piece was "Within the Law/' selected Friday after the company had rehearsed "The Call of the Heart," up to that day. Mt. Vernon, N. Y.. Dec. 27. The Frank Wilcox Stock reopened at the Little Playhouse Christmas Day in "Brewster's Millions." The same company suspended two weeks ago. ■v ■*. ^«»>~ Diamond Jim Brady Very HI. F.arlv in the week it was reported Diamond Mm Rrady was seriously ill in liis New York apartments.