Variety (May 1918)

10 BURLESQUE, 1 PHILADELPHIA ALLOWS SUNDAY PERFORMANCE AT TROCADERO "Record Breakers" Give Free Entertainment for Enlisted Men. Uniforms for Admissions. First Happening of Its Kind in Philly. Manager Morrow Proposed Plan, Officially Approved. Philadelphia, May 1. For the first time in the history of Philadelphia, a burlesque show was presented on a Sunday evening last Sunday (April 28) at the Trocadero. Robert £. Morrow is manager of the theatre. It was not thought possible that the municipal authorities would permit the holding of any theatrical performance on the Sabbath, let alone a burlesque. Manager Morrow realized that some form of recreation was needed on Sunday evenings for the thousands of enlisted men stationed in Philadelphia. He communicated with the local re- cruiting headquarters of the Marine Corps. His proposal met with their approval Tickets were distributed to sailors, soldiers and marines for the special performance of Jack Reid's "Record Breakers." Seventeen hundred uni- formed men and their relatives or friends attended the performance. The services of the actors and attaches of the theatre were donated. The play was greeted with considerable applause by the men. A number of patriotic songs were rendered and the uniformed men and their friends joined in the singing of the chorus of these. Representatives of the Department of Justice and the Department of Pub- lic Safety were interested spectators. Notices of the special performance were carried by all of the Philadelphia newspapers Monday morning. Members of the Marine Corps acted as ushers and door attendants. Mr. Morrow is planning a number of simi- lar entertainments. The plays at the Trocadero are booked through the American Bur- lesque Circuit. ALL-STAR TOUR OFF. The all-star burlesque tour, which was to have been made of the prin- cipal cities, with New York and Brook- lyn as special destinations, the re- ceipts to go to a building fund for a new home for the Burlesque Club, has been called off. The club heads and fund promoters threshed the matter over again and decided that in the face of the present Liberty Loan drive, the coming Red Cross drive and other charities for war benefits it would be most inopportune to go through with the all-star tour. The club will give its annual outing at Donnelly's Grove, College Point, the last Sunday in July. The arrange- ments are in the hands of Frank Smith and Al Singer. James Powers, just returned from the road as manager of "Mile a Minute Girls," is Mending his personal aid to the affair. BURLESQUE SHOWS CLOSING. American burlesque shows that did not arrange any supplementary dates following the end of the regular sea- son are as follows: "The Lid Lifters," closing in Scranton, Pa., Saturday night next; Gerard's "Americans," Dixon's 'Review of 1918," "Girls from Joy Land," "Some Babies," "Social Follies," "In- nocent Maids," "Army and Navy Girls," closing last Saturday night in Terre Haute; "Hello Girls," "Charming Wid- ows." "The Pace Makers," "Auto Girls," closing last Saturday in St. Louis; "Mile a Minute Girls," closing Saturday in St. Paul; "Jolly Girls." "Parisian Flirts," "40 Thieves," "Lady Buccaneers," "Buff, Bing, Bang," "Mili- tary Maids," "Grown Up Babies," "The Aviators," Speedway Girls," "Darlings of Paris," "The Orientals," "Girls from the Follies." "Morning Glories," clos- ing next Saturday in Brooklyn. ROSENBERG GAINS ONE. William Minsky, who has been oper- ating stock burlesque at the National on Houston street, downtown, is leav- ing the Ben Kahn circuit and joining with Jerome Rosenberg, operating a similar policy at the 14th Street. A new company was placed in re- hearsal this week that will open at the National next Monday, with Mark Lea producing director. This National stock outfit is expected to alternate with the company now at the 14th Street. Among the principals for the new National are Billy Clark, Tom Robinson, Tom Kane, Miss Randolph and Gertrude Lang. Close Sunday Concert Season. Sunday concerts are about finished for the season in the burlesque houses, the fine weather of last Sunday helping to hurry the wind-up. Miners' Bronx closed last Sunday, as did the Gayety and Star, Brooklyn. The Casino and Empire in the same borough are due to close next Sunday, while the Olympic, New York, stopped two weeks ago. Hur- tig and Seamon's is the exception, that house continuing Sunday bills until June, or when burlesque bows out for the season. DIRECTORS MEET. A special meeting of the board of directors of the American Burlesque Association was held at the New York headquarters of the organization Wed- nesday. The entire directorate was represented, with Judge M. Muller, Cincinnati, arriving last Monday, and I. Herk, Chicago, coming in Tuesday. Some urgent matters relative to the extension of the circuit for next sea- son were discussed. President George Peck reported in full upon his recent trip out of town in the interests of new houses for the American. The new time was ratified by the directors with an "official statement" to be is- sued by President Peck upon the find- ing of the board. The directors propose to go after the producing managers who violate any of the rules set down by the board on the "don'ts" to be followed by the companies next season. The circuit heads are going to be especially strict on any attempt to carry "cooch" dancers by any of the managers. PLAYERS ELIGIBLE. For some reason there appears tooe the impression among the burlesque ranks that the Burlesque Club has restricted its membership to such an extent the acting profession is not ■ eligible to its ranks. An official of the club says any bur- lesque player can apply for member- ship, the application, however, to go through the usual club procedure be- fore the club privileges are granted. The present membership has many burlesque thespians on its list. BURLESQUE CHANGES. Jack Miller goes to the Trocadero stock, Philadelphia, for the summer. LESSER IMPROVING. Lou Lesser can slightly see out of one eye, according to a letter received at the Burlesque Club this week. Mr. Lesser has been ill in Baltimore and it was feared he had become per- manently blind. HELEN WARE America's Rretenst emotionnl nctress. Returned to vaudeville at Pnluce, New York, this -week (Auril 29) in the supreme novelty pliiylet of the senson, v "THE ETERNAL BARRIER" An Incident tn novel dramatic form by Tom Barry. The only playlet in dramatic litera- ture In which hut one churacter appears. The New York press unanimously approved of the offering, as follows: "Miss Ware is forceful and appealing; act enthusiastically received."—Tribune. "New and Ingenious; holds audience spellbound."—(llobe. "An adroit and exceedingly difficult experiment; tremendously-successful."- Herald. "A remarkable performance of a remarkable sketch; really fine art."—Telegraph. "Ployed with fine feeling; must be sccu to be appreciated."—Sun. Direction of JOSEPH HART. ILLNESS MARS PERFORMANCE. The Marcus Musical Comedy Co., without the assistance of their fea- tured comedian, Mike Sacks, opened their initial New York showing at the Follies Monday night. This necessi- tated a complete change of the prin- cipals. Bob Alexander substituted for Sacks. Alice Wallace, prima donna, was compelled to retire at various times, in order to give her voice an opportunity to recuperate for follow- ing numbers, thereby doing herself an injustice. Mr. Sacks was taken suddenly ill with a slight attack of pneumonia dur- ing an auto trip to Fall River. He has been laid up several days, but is ex- pected to return to the cast before the end of the current week. The opening matinee did not get un- der way until after 3 o'clock, due to wardrobe mix-ups. However, the spec- tators remained for the opening per- formance, although A. M. Marcus, man- ager of the attraction, was almost tempted to declare it off. BAKER STOCKS ORGANIZED. Charles Baker has decided after all to get his originally planned summer stock burlesque troupes under way for the Grand, Trenton and Dix thea- tres, Wrightstown, N. T. The first company will open May 6 at Trenton, the other show to start at Dix May 13. Each company will have 18 chorus girls. The Trenton roster includes Sam Golden, George Brennon, Flo Da- vis, Lew Harris, Fred Buhler, Doris Claire, Mirian Marshall, Florence Ros- tetter, Agnes Stanton. The Dix list has George Ward, Sam Spear, Hal Hy- att, Sue Milford, Dorothy Dean, Marie Elmer, John Black, producer. The companies will alternate bills between the towns, changing twice weekly according to General Manager Levine's plans, Levine operating both houses. COLUMBIA SELLING BONDS. -The Columbia, New York, the hub of the Columbia burlesque wheel, has been obtaining Liberty Loan subscrip- tions since last week, when an L. L. speaker has addressed each audience. The subscriptions have averaged a fair amount. The Columbia first tried obtaining sales of bonds in the theatre through distributing pamphlets to patrons, but found this was not successful. MAY BE CALLED APOLLO. The new theatre at Broadway and 47th street, in process of building by the Shuberts*, will probably be called the Apollo, a final decision being held up because a picture house of that name exists in the city. It was first known as the Hammer- stein, although Arthur Hammerstein, contrary to first reports, never desired the house, because of its size. The seating capacity will be between 800 and 900. Two Shows for Irwin. Fred Irwin was in New York this week making arrangements for his burlesque activities for next season. Irwin will again have two shows in operation next fall, having a brand new book written for the Big Show. New scenery and costumes will be giv- en the "Irwin Majesties." He has vir- tually signed up the present "Majes- ties" intact for next fall, even re-en- gaging all of his present chorus girls. Youngttown Loses Old Playhouse. Youngstown, O., May 1. With the closing of the Frieda Hem- pel recital on Monday night, the Grand (). II. will cease to exist. The prop- erty has been acquired by the Ma- honing National bank; the site will be used to build an addition to the bank. The opera house was opened in 1874, and for many years was the only play- house in this city.