Variety (November 1917)

14 LEGITIMATE. NEWS FROM THE DAILIES ♦ (Below is news matter net collected by Vaiiity but rewritten in condensed form from the items relating to theatricals appearing in the Mem York daily newspapers between the dates of Variety's weekly issmes.) J Th© Frolic of the Friar* will b« held Doc 2. William Favembam has under consideration the organisation of a Shakespearian festival. Another vaudeville playlet, by Colgate Baker, will soon appear. At the Neighborhood Playhouse there will shortly be produced a dramatic playlet, deal- ing with the French in the war, by Yorska. The Century may be open the year round with Ztegfeld and Dillingham producing "The Bummer Girl" next summer. If tea J. C. Mlddleton has been appointed executive secretary of the National League for Woman's Service. Antoinette Walker Is again Plajlng the lead on the road In "Mother Carey's Chlck- ena." -*■ Boahanara and the Ballet Intlme will go on a crons-oontineatal tour following the Boston engagement, which cloaca Dec. 3. Oliver Morosco will produce during the holi- day! "The Madonna of the Future." Alan Dale's first play. C F Coghlan. son of the late Charles Cogh- laS* baa^en added to the company which will & seen with Bthel Barrymore In "Camllle. William Faversham will do a big revival of W Lord and Lady Algy ' in New York during the holidays. ^^^ Th* name of piece at the Harris—"Losing Blc?se"-maV be P changed to "The Naughty Wife." "Over the Top," scheduled to open at the 44th Street Roof" Nov. 28. was postponed until Dec L George Marlon will appear In "The .Grans Widow 71 when the play Is produced at the Liberty. Dec 8. A new stock organisation under the direc- tion of PercTwinUr will begin at the Modern. Providence, Dec 8. South American capitalists are Planning to construct a replica of the Hippodrome in Duenos Alrec The Washington Square ?»**«" w »» PJJ: eent at the Comedy the second bill of their subscription season Dec. 3. The Oreenwich Village Theatre will con- tinue its present bill for the next four weeks, when a new program will be given. William H. Crane, dean of American actors, made bis debut on the vaudeville stage last Monday, after M years -pent on the speaking With a volunteer program made up of N. V A acta a benefit for the Catholic Mission and relief work on Blackwells Island was held at Terrace Oarden, Nov. 22. Walter Regan, now appearing with Mrs Flake In "Oeorge Sand." Is planning a trip to London at the close of his present en- gagement. Frances Starr, at Carnegie Hall, l)ec. ."> will recite "Carillon." The concert I* for the bene- fit of Belgium, by the Oratorio Society of New York. Two "Mary's Ankle" companies left for the road this week, one opened ut Trenton and the other at Perth Amboy. Ktleen I'oe ami Margaret St. Clalr are the respective Marys. Through William Connor, her American man- ager, and I. Blllngardl. who represent* a group of Houth American capitalists, Mme Bernhardt will tour Houth America. Laurette Taylors engagement I" "The Woo- ing of Eve" will end Ih-c 1. She then will begin rehearsals of "Happiness," another play by J. Hartley Manners. Dillingham and Zlegfeld have Himn-.i a new lease with the directors of the New Theatre Co. which will give them the Century for the neit three years. "H5x M'inlkrt' Option," Ii<ir<«'|>y i>'<iim.|!y'* latent play, was produced in Hie I'rince h l.i t night (Nov. 1S»). It Is a time uet comedy by Ancella Anslee. It it mm been dfeided l>y the A. II WoocIh not to close "On With the Dane.•" at the U.piiMIe until Oec. I her. ,'t, IaiU Tellegeu will <i|" U In "blind Youth," Hchediikd to st;iy at the Kepubllc for thrw; w<«<kit. Norworth and Shannon., producers of "Odds and Ends of 11)17," are preparing a second review as the opening attraction of the new Norworth, it will be entitled "Nlck-Nacks of Now." Jack Welch, associated with Cohan ft Har- ris for 13 years, and more recently general representative for Arthur Hopkins, has been appointed general manager for the Hitchcock - Ooetz combination. The third season of the Passion Play of Veronica's Veil will open again in February under the auspices of Father Conrad. C.P., rector of St. Joseph's Church, of the Paaslon- 1st Fathers. A co-operative scheme whereby actors would share In the business and also accept a share In the financial risks is a plan suggested by L. Lawrence Weber, to combat the theatre- going slump caused by war conditions. "Autolove," the work of the French com- poser, .lean Gilbert, was produced at the York- vllle, New York, Nov. 21. The piece under another name was shown in Paris and Berlin five or six years ago. The Amateur Comedy, In conjunction with the Y. M. C. A., will give a series of per- formances for the entertainment of soldiers at cantonments who can reach town easily. The first show will he "A 8unny Morning" at the Oarden theater (New York) Dec. 8. With the co-operation of the Stage Woman's War Relief and the Immediate Relief Society, the Professional Woman's League will hold a patriotic bazaar In the club rooms. 1000 Broad- way, afternoons and evenings of Dec. 6-8. The F. F. Proctor Enterprises have dissolved alx of Its corporations, certificates being tiled with the Secretary of State. They are: Troy Theatre Co., Lyceum and Orlswold opera house. Troy, and Lcland, Grand and Proctor's Annex of Albany. William Gray was declared the winner of the first leg of the Lambs' Club golf tour- nament. The contest Is for a sllved cup, do- nated by Julian Eltlnge, and must be won three times before Its possession becomes per- manent. The New York headquarters of the War Department Commission on Training Camp Activities. Military Entertainment Service, are located at I.Vjo Hrondwny. with Hollls Cooley. as general manager. Adam Kessel has been placed In charge of the picture department of the Service. Prem agcntlng appears to be degenerating, according to this: "The lowest salary paid any actor or actress In New York is received by Polly Blunt in the Messrs. Shuhert production of "The Star Gazer" at the Plymouth theotro. Polly Blunt Is the brilliant green parrot that whistles and chatters during the third act of the new musi- cal success. Ills Halnry Is three crackers and a howl of seeds a day. and he gives no Indi- cation of striking for higher salary." According to Kitty Galunta. a Russian dancer with "Chu Chin Chow" at the Manhattan, a man called upon her nt the theatre one day laHt week and said his name was "Mr. JncnbF." Me asked her if she had ever been to Russia. S in admitted that she had, and she also said she knew the Tsar's second daughter by sight. "Mr. Jacobs" then told her nhe could make n lot of money by going with him to San Fran- cbco and poalng as Miss Romanoff. Miss (ialanta thinks the man wanted her to poae as Miss Romanoff In motion pictures. Sho re- fused the offer, nnd reported the matter to her manager. Morris G.-st. That Miss Tatlana Nlcolaevna Romanoff. Nccond daughter of the deposed Tsar «r Ru-siu. having made her escape from Siberia, will soon he In the United States i H vouched fur by members of the Russian Civilian Relief, but the time of her arrival Is Htlll a mystery. It Is said the young woman Is coming here to disseminate true In- formation about ltii:i ia. The inn I spectacular bit of publicity this season was accorded "The Wanderer" last week In IIohIou through the cunning of Wll- lard llolcomh, when for four days a herd of IUO sheep used In the pasture hcciio of the show grazed on the Uostou Common. Attond Ink the s'leep were In men In coHtume. It wns the first time In S7 years sheep had been nlloucd on the ('oiiiiii'iii. but Mayor f'urley Miiiii'l a r< rinlt under ;.i: :/ld liiv. that per- mit., any citizen to ho use tin- Common. Thurs- day the city's corporation cotimicl discovered the law had been np<aled ."»(» years ago and ho Inform, d the Mayor. Whereupon the Mayor ealh-d up llohomb and, after admitting 'li.il oin had been put over on hiui," asked tin- pre s agent If he had been aware that the law had been repeal.-d. llolcomh truth fully replied In the affirmative, adding that ha and trusted to luck that the Mayor didn't know it. Tba sheep were immediately •mlwo'l eff the green but in (he meantime the dallies had run spread stories and pictures galore. CRITICISMS. THE STAR GAZER. A musical comedy in three acts. Book by Cosmo Hamilton; lyrics by Matthew C. Wood- ward; music by Frank Lehar. At the Ply- mouth, Nov. 26. The piece Is a romantic costume play of the England of 1880, peopled with about a score of folk who dress In the bright colors of the period but who are themselves rather dull. As a result the piece is really diverting only when the orchestra plays.- Times. In addition to the excellence of the music, with which composers of opera .oomlque far more famous than Lehar might have been well satisfied In their bygone day, the book and lyrics were unusual to relate, almost be- yond criticism.— Herald. ART AND OPPORTUNITY. • A comedy In three acts by Harold Chaplu, at the Knickerbocker, Nov. 26. That rarest of all things came to the Knickerbocker last night, a light comedy writ- ten with a masterly touch and sustained with workmanlike skill and vigor from the first word to the final curtain.—Times. It contains a vein of subtle humor which Is very much in its favor, though it cannot be said that Its elusive fun Is brought out In full measure In Its present performance. How- ever, there Is an unusually fine quality to the comedy, which ought to appeal strongly to holiday playgoer?.— World. LBS POURBERIES DE SCAPIN. Mollere's comedy In French, at the Theatre du Vleux Colombier, Nov. 2G. As in the case of our Washington 8p.ua re Players, the dominant note was of intelligent amateur feeling—a very rare and valuable quality In such an endeavor—which was limited at times, perhaps by deficiencies of authority and practical skill. The two ven- tures have, Indeed, very much in common, and the development of this company of the Vleux Colombier will be watched with pro- found Interest and respect.— Time: ENGAGEMENTS. Helen Lowell ("Grass Widow"). Al Terry, musical director ("Molly Dear") FLORA MOORE NEEDS WORK. Chicago, Nov. 28. Some months ago an aged character woman in a week-stand musical com- edy, whose part called for being hoisted on a pulley, fell when the pulley broke and sustained serious injuries. She was taken to the American Theatrical Hos- pital, where she remained for weeks, finally leaving well, but weak. She forthwith commenced a tour of the- atrical employment agencies, as her financial condition rendered it impera- tive to secure work. She has been un- able to get any work. She is still look- ing. But nobody knows her nor re- members her name. She is Flora Moore. A quarter of a century ago she was one of the best known dramatic women in the country. She was a sensation in such plays as "A Bunch of Keys," "Zigzag Alley f ' and "In a Pullman Palace Car." She wants work, this wraith of a one-time footlight glory. And she needs work. waltkk m:r.A\ Who clotted with Mrs. I'lske Sntwnlny imtl nix-Ms willi (I. M. AmliTsoii nml Lnvrrnci' Welter's "YI'.S OR NO" by Arthur O.mmIHHi. MR. IUTiAN Is exclusively nuiunge«l bv (HAMUI'UI.AIN UHOWN. SHOWS IN CHICAGO. Chicago, Nov. 28. Conditions are "looking up" a bit- at local houses. With a normal ad- vance for the Thanksgiving Day per- formances, and the International Live Stock show set for the week begin- ning Saturday (always one of the big theatre weeks of the year), the chins of the managers are a trifle higher. Blanche Ring, despite heavy oppo- sition, got $8,000 with "What Next?" 'The Passing Show" did strong busi- ness, but the $2.50 top kept money away. The sell-out sign was not used at all. Ruth Chatterton, in "Come Out of the Kitchen," proved the star draw, with sell-out matinees and uniformly good nights. This one is not playing Sundays. "Here Comes the Bride" succeeded "Parlor. Bedroom and Bath" in the Colonial. With the $1.50 limit fea- tured the K. & E. piece got a warm reception, turning them away for a starter. George Arlis reopened the Blackstone Monday in "Hamilton" with the Hamilton Club buying 500 seats for the premiere. "Oh, Boy" is holding up splendidly at the La Salle, and "The Man Who Came Back" is still a winner. But William Gillette, "Why Marry?" "Upstairs and Down" and "Miss Springtime" are playing to negligible returns. SHOWS IN NEW ORLEANS. New Orleans, Nov. 28. Irwin and Henry leave the southern company of "Her Soldier Boy" this week with the termination of the Tu- lane engagement, Irwin taking Clif- ton Crawford's role with the eastern organization at Detroit next week, Miss Henry assuming one of the prin- cipal roles wilh the same company. The show did but a light business here at the Tulane. Al. H. Wilson, popular here, is aver- aging well at the Lafayette. At the Dauphine the stock burlesque shows are drawing a profitable pat- ronage. SHOWS IN 'FRISCO. San Francisco, Nov. 28. "Miss Springtime" was the local open ing this week, to a house about three- quarters filled. "The 13th Chair," at the Cort, is drawing but fair business. Allen Doone is repeating this week with "Lucky O'Shea," with light attend- ance. Next week will mark the closing of his engagement, when he will offer "Shaun Rue." Thereafter the house will resume its regular stock policy. 'LILAC DOMINO" CO. SAILING. J. L. Sach's "Lilac Domino" company will sail next week for the other side. Those leaving are Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lalor, Vincent Sullivan, Robert O'Con- nor, Kdwin Wilson, Eugenie Corday, Josephine Earle, Elinore Henry, Lois Meredith. P. S. Pigott. David Quixano expects to sail, but is having some trouble in securing a passport. Willie Edclstcn will leave on the same ship. SHOWS IN LOS ANGELES. Los Angeles, Nov. 28. "Potash and Pcrlmuttcr" had only a fair opening at the Mason, due to the drawing strength of a counter attraction, staged by Mack Sennett for the benefit of the army and navy. A good advance sale, however, promises a profitable engagement for the show here. Chorus Girl's Couple of Suits. Chicago, Nov. 28. Kdna Fellhcimcr, a chorus girl, has iili'I a Miit hero for divorce against Prank Pellheimer of Macomb, 111. In addition she lias filed a $50,000 aliena- tion suit against her wealthy mother- in-law, Mrs. Laura Pellheimer, who, she alleges, cause the wreck of her marital happiness.