Variety (September 1917)

VAUDErVILLE VAUDEVELIANS W MKICO SUBJECTED TO INDIGNITIES One Act Returning from Several Going There Last Spring Reports Terrible Condition Throughout Revolution- ary Territory. Women Especially Become Prey of Mexicans. Chicago, Sept. 5. Of all the colorful tales that have come from out of Mexico, so intri- cately entangled with revolutions and festered with bandits, whose revolting raids occupied the attention of this country before its entrance into the world war, there is none perhaps more pitifully interesting to professionals than that which concerns the men and women members of ten or more vaude- ville acts that last spring crossed the Rjo Grande into the land of the "^ringo"-hating peons, there to join the Grand Circo (circus) Americo. Recent letters received here from those who have not yet been able to cross the boundary line or who are not desirous of so doing, substantiate the reports of frequent assault, robbery and clegrada- tion meted out to the little American band. All of the acts concerned were mem- bers of the former White Rats organ- ization. During March last, when it was a foregone conclusion that theirs was a lost cause, these acts listened to the offers of two men, one a Mexican, who promised large salaries for all who would tour Mexico witK the Grand Circo Americo. Since these acts were on the "blacklist" (several had acted as pickets during the strike attempt here) the Mexican trip looked like a good way out. As far as can be learned the turns reported to have joined were the St. Julians, Elsa and Mickey, the St. Aliens, Otto and Olivia, Franches and La France and the Great De Monda, although there were others. The circus opened at Chihuahua to big business, making a week stand. But before the week was over the out- fit was raided by bandits supposed to have been a part of Villa's forces. At the time several pf the women were attacked. The troupe entrained then for Juanta, being fortunate to ride in coaches. Regarding the transporta- tion, it seems that while the entire circus had to be aboard the cars early in the morning, the train would some- times not pull out until nighttime, the engineer apparently pushing over the throttle whenever he got ready. The circus did not reach Juanta without mishap, for on the way Villa troops stopped the train, requisitioned the cars and compelled all to board bag- gage cars. Another band of Villa peons in turn held up this train. Men and women alike were compelled to strip, and evervthing of value was taken. Some of the women were told that they must submit to the whim of the bandit officers or suflFer the conse- t)uences. Some were let alone, accord- ing to the claim of one woman, who went through the ordeal. Others are reported to have been detained for a time in the "harem" of some Villista officers. The circus finally floundered, for al- though when it did show the business was excellent, frequent robberies made it impossible to save any money. After leaving Juanta and on the way to Mexico City several wealthy natives came forth with a promise of protec- tion for the women, but it turned out their motives were not altruistic. Where some of tbe«se art^ arc «:ave that they may be in the interior of Mexico no one seems to know. Some have gotten across the line, but letters from others say they were not so lucky. Along the streets in every town where the circus stopped the women were constantly in receipt of insults from even the dirtiest of the peons. One woman member of a team got across the line in July, her partner giving her all his money and exacting a promise that if she escaped she would send him back $50—that he might travel north. This woman vain- ly tried in every way to get the money to him, but finally had to deposit it with the Wells-Fargo office in El Paso, with the promise that word would be sent their Chihuahua agent that the sum was there on the man's demand. He has not been heard from to date REVUE, WITH NAMES. Arrangements are in active forma- tion for the combination of a new revue to be produced by £. Ray Goetz and Raymond Hitchcock, producers of "Hitchy Koo," and which will have a three-star combination of features in the Dolly Sisters, Eddie Foy and Sam Bernard. While nothing definite has been an- nounced on the project, negotiations are understood to be practrcafly settled for the affair, the producers in the meantime searching for suitable talent to complete the cast. The Dollys and Foy are now in vaudeville. MARY MARBLE'S PRODUCTION. Mary Marble (formerly of Chip and Marble), who has not been seen in vaudeville since the death of Sam Chip last April, will appear around New York in about a month in a new musi- cal production being prepared for her by Channing Pollock and Anna Marble. The piece will carry 8 people, and will be a Japanese fantasy, carrying special music and scenery. FRED IN JOE SANTLEY'S ACT. Chicago, Sept. 5. "The Girl on the Magazine," as played by Joe Santley and Ivy Sawyer late last season in vaudeville, will be continued, with Fred Santley and Florrie Millership in the leading roles. Joe is now here, rehearsing his brother and Miss Millership. ADELE RITCHIE PERMANENT. Adele Ritchie, theatrically inactive for several months, will return to vaudeville Oct. 8 with a new repertoire of songs, having been routed over the United time by Harry Weber. Miss Ritchie's last appearance was for a two-week engagement at Boston last Spring. CATLETT GOES TO WOODS. Walter Catlett left "The Follies" at the Amsterdam this week to join the A. H. Woods playing forces for this season. Catlett, it is practically settled, will be engaged for a part in "Parlor, BeH- room and Bath." George Broadhurst has 25 per cent, of the show. ANOTHER JOLSON. After closing in Los AnR:c1es, A! Jolson returned to his home in Ber- keley, remaining with his wife during his rest on the Coast. An increase in the family is ex- pected. ROCK AND WHITE'S PROPOSAL WMt may be the oddest proposi-^ tion ever submitted by a headline vaudeville act to a manager is the gambling proposal of Rock and White, conveyed to the Palace, New York, management through the act's agent, Edward S. Keller, to play that house for nothing if they do not break the box office,record of it. Provided, however, that Rock and White take the record, they want $3,500 for their week's service a. The Rock and Wiiite proposal in detail, as submited by Mr. Keller, was that upon the expiration of their con- tract with *Hitchy-Koo," in about three more' weeks (when all their theatrical engagements end) they will appear for one week at the Palace, headlining the bill, and agreeing that if they do not draw more money into that theatre than any week's receipts within the past two years, they will forfeit all claims to salary for the Palace stay. The verdict is to be rendered by the Palace, upon its statements of the past and the Rock and White week, the act being content to rest the matter en- tirely with the management (Keith's). Otherwise, if Rock and White decide to ask for a^ consecutive vaudeville route for the remainder of the season, their salary request will be 12,500 weekly. Billy Rock is the author of the unique proposal. His partner is Frances White, who recently secured a divorce from her husband, Prank Fajr, and was allowed $25 weekly alimony by the court To add to Mr. Fay's other memories of his brief married fife, Pay's lawyer, whom Fay thought was acting out of friendship for him, rendered ft bill for $750 after his wiiPe had MCured the divorce. Among the other existing ex- hibits of the Fay-White Murl iS an action to recover I2,5(X), money loaned, brought by Miss White tgainst her late husband. Another lawsuit as a result of the alliance and divorce is an action for $25,000 started by Fay against Rock, for alienating his wife's affections. Mr. Rock also has a plan for him- self and partner to give a series of Sunday night performances at some Broadway house, the team using about six different turns from their previous acts, and filling in the intervals with nusical numbers by others. ROUTE FOR 16-YEAR OLD GIRL. Washington, Sept. 5. A local girl of 16 years, singer of character songs, was recently given an opportunity here to reveal her ability, with the result she has received a route in big time eastern vaudeville. Her name is Ann Suter. •'COUNTRY CLUB" SEQUEL. "The Society Set," announced as a sequel to the former Jesse Lasky vaudeville production, "The Country Club," is being produced for vaudeville by Arthur Klein. It will have 15 people, with George Spink starred. WOULDN'T CHEAT. Mansfield, O., September 5. When Stephen Dalton, a contortion- i.st, was examined by draft board physicians Aur. 31 one doctor dis- covered his hip was dislocated, another that his shoulder was out of joint, and another that his elbow was in bad con- dition. After fooling the physicians a little longer, Dalton threw himself back in shape and was passed. FIRST ACTS OFF •^BLACKLIST." — Among 4h« iirst..af-Uie "blackHsUd'- sf)ecialtics to receive action following the partial suspension of the list were Chas. Mack and Co. and the Leigh- ton Bros. (Frank-Bert). Mack was "banned" for walking out of Poli's, Waterbury, Conn., while the Leigh- tons refused to appear at Loew's Sev- enth Avenue, although the latter were not members of the White Rats, and steadfastly claimed their refusal to work was because of some offensive language hurled at one of the Leigh- ton's wives by a stagehand, the broth- ers claiming they would have "walked out" regardless of any strike order. Mack was induced to leave the Waterbury bill through the personal plea of Jas. W. FitzPatrick, who re- sides in that town. Mack is now on the Pantages Circuit. He is the father of a large family, an additional child being born last week. The Leightons are booked over the Loew Circuit. "MA CHERIE" TO DATE "Ma Cherie," in its day one of vaude- ville's best sketches, and of long mem- ory to the older vaudevillians through the association with Clayton White In that playlet of the late Marie Stumrt, may see the twice daily stage once more. George V. Hobart, author o! the sketch, is rewriting it. Mr. White in- tends placing it out, with himself and Georgie Lawrence as the principal players. HIT; BUT DRAFTED. Roy Cummings scored one of the biggest hits ever received at the Fifth Avenue this week, but he is scheduled to be called with the second quota of the drafted National Army. His wife, known to the stage as Misf Claddings, is at present with the Hip- podrome show, in Billie Burke^s "Pinkie" act. RETURN DATES 1 L. Wolfe Gilbert and Anatol Fried- land, the Sterfi Co. composers who re- cently entere4 vaudeville, have been booked for a return engagement at the Palace, six weeks after their origi- nal engagement there, also another date at Keith's Philadelphia within eight weeks after that stand, their third in vaudeville. The writers will be featured around the Keith houses for the next nine weeks, playing only in New York aad Brooklyn, during which time they will be enabled tg devote part of their at- tention to the supervision of the pub- Jishing house. STERN'S IN AUTHOR'S SOCIETY. Jos. Stern & Co. has remained out of the Authors', Composers' and Publish- ers' Society since the time that organi- zation was formed. The firm entered an application for tnembership, favorably passed by the heads of association, and the Stern firm was admitted to membership last week. JOSEPHINE DAVIS MARRIED? Atlantic City, Sept. 5. It is reported Josephine Davis was married here last week to a Baltimore business man. Miss Davis was appearing at the Hotel Isleworth. Street Fair Man After Divorce. Suit for divorce was filed here, Sept. 1 by Charles C. Blue, street fair pro- moter, against Gertrude I*. Blue, of Al- l)any, Ga. He charges she has been living at questionable resorts in various cities. Boganny Troupe Out of Hip Show. The Boganny Troupe has been elim- inated from the Hippodrome show, whichM)roke all house records in the matter of attendance on Labor Day. The Hip is using only minimum ?!C'\\ spriper advertisifi^j. . »— ^ A.«« <*...**,. r> • Harrison Grey Fiske's Sketch. A sketch, "The New Resurrection," produced for vaudeville by Harrison Grey Fiske, will play the Royal, Bronx, next we^k Tt carries five players.