Variety (June 1917)

8 VAUDEVILLE LIBERTY'S CALL By W. Dayton Wegefarth (This poem, written by Mr. Wegefarth, a Philadelphia theatrical man- ager, appears on the programs of several of Philadelphia's theaters): When the battle-cry is ended, And when vict'ry hat been won, When the cold of steel is blended With the warmth of Freedom's sun, When the Peace we crave is given, When our Honor is secure, When the blood-red pall is riven That our safety may endure; Will you greet the flag that shields you With upraised and pride-filled eyes, With a cheer for your red, white and blue That flecks the azure skies? If you would, then back Old Glory, Back the men who do and dare, Be a part of history's story,— Buy a bond, and do your share! ILL AND INJURED. Mrs. Max (Tillie) Winslow expects to leave St. Elizabeth Hospital on West 51st street this week, where she is re- covering from an operation performed there. Mrs. Winslow was advised a couple of years ago to have the opera- tion gone through with when it would have been a slight matter, but delayed until it grew serious. Hattie Mcintosh King (colored) is very ill at her home in Chicago. She is the wife of Billy King, comedian. Eddie Convey, secretary of Theatri- cal Protective Union No. 1, was con- fined to his home this week with a slight attack of pneumonia. His re- turn to work is expected shortly. George A. Ewe'll is conhned to Dr. Given's Sanitarium, Stamford, Conn. A. W. Herman (Cohan & Harris forces) is at the Post Graduate Hospi- tal, having undergone a slight opera- tion. Joe Bennett, a vaudevillian, was se- verely beaten and robbed Tuesday night and was taken to the American Hospital, Chicago, in a serious condi- tion, suffering from a fractured jaw and internal injuries. His assailants have not as yet ^een apprehended. Janet Adair, wife of James (Fat) Thompson, was suddenly operated on at the American Hospital, Chicago, Monday, by Dr. Max Thorek. The op- eration was of minor character, but the patient is reported sure of recovery. Lou Bowers, superintendent of the Garrick theatre, Chicago, was operated on for a tongue affection by Dr. Harry Martin at the Michael Reese Hospital, Chicago. Gus Lans, carpenter with the Ger- trude Hoffman Revue, was removed from the Majestic. Chicago, at mid- night Sunday and taken to the Ameri- can Hospital. Lans is seriously ill with a stomach disorder which may ne- cessitate an operation. Edwin Lamar with the Lew Wood stock at the VVicting, Syracuse, N. fY., is at the City Hospital there with scar- let fever. The critical condition of their mother caused the Ferraros to cancel their Pacific Coast bookings and return cast. Otto Koerner, playing a former Harry Holman sketch ("The Automo- bile Rroker") on the Ackerman & Har- ris Circuit in the far west, canceled through a sudden illness contracted by Nellie McNamara of the company while the act was en route. Mr. Koerner and his company returned to Chicago. Sarah Scdalia. a vaudevillian appear- ing at Sherin's tl.c.rtrc, a small house on North Clark street. Chicago, was overcome by gas last Thursday night ■\vf)!U- S'.'"! 1 '--! j., Ii.t fiVcsin^ room, rc.ifiv to ^o on. George Kingsbury, manager of the Chicaeo "Turn to the Right," was con- fined to the room for several days last week, with an attack of stomach trou- ble. Venita Fitzhugh is suffering from measles, at New Haven. Edward Ornstein, manager of the stock company at the Palace, Toledo, has been conhned to his bed for two weeks with throat trouble. BURLESQUE FRANCHISES. The franchise of Hertz and Reaum of Detroit, who operated the "Hello Paris" show on the American wheel last season, which was revoked last week, due to the owners' failure to bring the show up to the requirements of the cir- cuit, will be operated next season by George Belfrage, who operates the "Hip Hip Hooray Girls" on the Columbia wheel. The American wheel has also granted a franchise to Charlie Baker for the one new additional show in the circuit next season. NEW ACTS. "An Heir for a Night" with Jack Rus- sell, Lotta Baker and Fred Raymond. A chorus of six girls. Tom Moran and Joe McCormack in "On Our Way Home" (Max Landau). "Wild Women" by Steve Champlin, featuring Charles Horn; "A Husband Wanted," by Blocker Jennings, with Dorothy Sadlier, aqd "Pep," with Otto Koerner (Harry Holman). Anita Osgood and Joe Phillips, two- act. Bert Wilcox and Co. in comedy sketch with three people. Anthony Andre and Co. in "The Beggerman." Hugh Cameron and Hal Ford, two- act Harry Palmer and "Billie" Craven (Lou Edleman). Henrietta Goodwin (former leading woman with the Elsmere stock), in a comedy sketch with three people. (Pat Casey). "Julius Caesar on Broadway," 35 peo- ple and eight Shetland ponies, with Richard Anderson and Leo (Buddy) Clark as principals. Corcoran and Mack may also be with the act (Joe Wood). WILSON RETURNING. William J. Wilson, the American stage director at present staging the new show at the Palace, London, is to return to this country immediately after that production is finished. He is expected to arrive in New York about June 15, and will complete ar- rangements here for a couple of Eng- ilsh touring revues which he will pro- duce abroad on his return, in associa- tion with the Moss-Empires, Ltd. Ina Claire's Show Tryout June II. Ina Claire in "Polly With a Past," under the management of David Be- lasco, is to undergo a week's tryout in Atlantic City opening June 11. The piece will then be shelved until late in August. FAVERSHAM'S MORTALITY LIST. Chicago, May 31. William Faversham in a letter to Percy Hammond of the Chicago "Tribune" decries the fact that there need be any anxiety regarding the ac- tor of this country take his part in the grim business of war and citing that 2,700 of the profession in England have been in the ranks during the struggle. Just as willing as were the English members of the profession as a whole, so will the Americans of the stage an- swer to the call of Uncle Sam, Mr. Faversham says. He added a list of names to one previously published bv Hammond of those of the English stage either killed or wounded in the struggle. The list includes: Farren Soutar—Age about 48. As you know, he la the son of the famous Nellie Farren of the London Gaiety. He had both eyes and both arms shot away only a few woeka ago. Frank Baker—Stage manager of the Duke of York's theatre for Charles Frohman for years. He was killed In the early stages of the war. Duncan Druce and his brother. William Druce, were both killed within a few weeks of one another. Ralph Dennlson—Who played here in "Milestones," and his brother, were both killed on the same day In 1015. Captain Murray Carson—Who died last week in Canterbury. • He donned khaki as soon as he could make the authorities be- lieve he was younger than he really was. Launcelot Lauder—Killed. Eric Benson—Son of F. P. Benson. Killed. Cyril Branch—Killed. Herbert HeuetBon—Wounded and reported as mlBsIng for nearly two years. Fred Penley—Son of the famous W. S. Penley and also business manager for Klaw & Ertanger. He was wounded and taken pris- oner the first weeks of the war. Terence Nesbit—Killed. Tom Nesbit—Wounded three times and back to the front three times. Charlie Maude—You undoubtedly remember him both In London and New York. I aald good-bye to him myself wben he decided to go to the front. He went via Canada. He has been In the thick of the fight and he Is now captain on the staff. Arthur Cleeve—Went with the first contin- gent as lieutenant and was wounded and in- valided out as captain after the battle of the Marne. Edward Cambermere—Who played with Cy- ril Maude In "Grumpy." Was wounded and invalided out aftT serving two years. Lee Nichols—Enlisted at the very begin- ning. He was yery severely wounded. In connection with his name I am Inclosing you a letter he wrote to the New York Times on April 25. T think It is a very modest letter and so splendid of this actor not to "crow" about himself. I believe he Is Incapacitated for the Btage forever and Is working now In a silversmith's on Fifth avenue in New York. Arthur Curtis—This is ono of the gam est and yet saddest cases of the whole lot. His eyeslirht was verv bad; in fact, to use the old phrase, "be was as blind as a bat." He wore glasses almost as thick as opera "lasses. He passed the reading test by waiting out- side the building and asking the different re- cruits as they came out what they had to read. By continually hearing It, and finally meeting a "pal" who remembered him very w»11, be committed It to memory and when his turn came, with his glasses hidden away In his pocket, be read everything the officer asked him to. He passed and proved a very fine soldier. He soon got a commission. He was made a first lieutenant: was wounded, and when better went back again. He was then made a captain. This time the poor fellow had bis law shot away and died ten dayR afterward In hospital. Lionel MacKlnder—The famous variety com- edian. He was 47. He enlisted at the out- break of the war, saying he was 28, and he pot away with it. He was shot through the head and killed by a sniper, while singing a comic song to the men In the trenches. Herbert Sleath—You remember him with me In "The Squawman," perhaps. He served over two yenrs and then was Invalided home. (He is the husband of Ellis Jefferys.) Captain Arthur Holmes-Gore—He was last seen wounded two years ago: has been miss- ing ever since, and the straneest thing is his wife will not believe he Is dead. . Colonel Holland—Retired army officer, came out here with Cyril Maude as business man- ager, and went back when the war broke out. Is now a general on the staff. Probyn Dlghton—Still at the front. His brother, nnothor actor, was killed the first year of the war. Of Cyril Maude's company there were: I'erclval Young. James Dale. Herbert Marshall. Leonard Troll ope. Julian d'Ablie. They were the members of the company rllirlhlp while playing In New York, and they oil icur.ivl UK Tv.•'?•: hu* IV'i'ii 1!117« % ru'wr. rf sr.v of tVem. Vovng wis t\ Hrntennnf. In Salonika the Inst wo hoard of him. Guy Standing—Served as commander of submarine chaser In the channel. Was finally Invalided out. and put In the nnvnl war de- partment, and Is now In fine position. Guy Rathbnne—Of Gerald du Maurler's com- pany. Wounded. Allan Pollock—Whom you undoubtedly Severely wounded. _. . Dion Calthorp—Actor and author. Hi (la- the author of the play 1 am producing this autumn called "The Old Country." He has been a commander of a torpedo boat de- stroyer since the beginning of the **/. Cyril Haroourt—Author of "A Pair of Silk Stockings," went up last week. I !»▼• nta letters to headquarters In Canada. 8tanley Bell—Sir Herbert Tree's stage man- ager. _ Norman Lorlng—Marie Tempest's son. Yon most likely remember him. He had •tarted as an actor, and then she put him in the box office on her last tour. He haa been at the front some months. Henry Alnley—Of London fame, who went with the contingent on the first of April to Flanders. We have heard no news of nun yet Oscar Ashe—Went with the first of May contingent. M Norman Tharp—He was with Blanche Bates and William Gillette In "Diplomacy." No report yet. ■ mm . , Major Latouche Congreve—Cyril Maudea son-in-law. He was married to Maudes daughter. Won the Victoria cross and was killed five days after the marriage. The king presented the Victoria cross In person to his wife, who now has a posthumous child, a daughter. . . Bailey Hick—Reeves-Smith's son-in-law he Is. He was very severely wounded. There are rumors that he Is dead. IN AND OUT. Dooley and Sales retired from the Bushwick bill last Thursday, and can- celed this week at the Brighton, through the illness of Corinne Sales. Irwin and Henry are substituting at the beach. Kelly and Fern were out of the Ked- zie, Chicago, first half, on account of illness. They were replaced by Silber and North. Sampson and Douglass could not open at the Bijou, Brooklyn, the last half of last week through illness. Denny and Perry secured the spot. Harmon and Malcolm did not appear for rehearsal at Loew's, Newark, Mon- day, and were replaced by Fraser, Bunce and Hardy. Griffith and Bosley left the Crotona Monday after the first show, replaced by Kelly and Morrell. "Danse Divertissement" filled a dis- appointment at Fox's Ridgewood the first half. "Flying Venus" left the Academy, Chicago, on Friday last, after trouble with the local branch of the I. T. A. S.E. The man working the apparatus employed in the act refused to show his union card, although he claimed to be a member of the local union. The act was replaced by the Box Car Trio. ALAN DALE IS BACK. Alan Dale is once again the reviewer of dramatic productions for the "Amer- ican," his first criticism having ap- appeared in that paper Tuesday morn- ing. Throughout the theatrical field the subject of the return of the most caus- tic of dramatic critics was dis- cussed Tuesday. It was commented on that the reviewer and the "American" parted company about two years ago when one of the producing firms man- aged to get the ear of the business office of the publication. Since that time the "American" has practically lost caste entirely in its theatrical reviews. Officially Visiting Actors' Fund Home. The annual visit of the President and Board of Trustees to the Actors' Fund Home on Staten Island will take place Sunday, June 3, the party starting on the trip from the Fund rooms in New YorTc at 11.15. Board members and guests* are asked to assemble at 11 o'clock. All who have machines are asked to press them into service for the trip. Notices were sent out Monday by the assistant secretary, W. Austin. "Beautiful Unknown" Nearly Ready. The- finish in;? touches are being put on the "Beautifiil Unknown," which the Shuberts are grooming for an antici- pated summer run at the 44th street, opening June 18. Allan K. Foster is handling the di- recting end.