Variety (May 1918)

10 BURLESQUE, BURLESQUE WILL RECOVER ED. F. RUSH AS PRODUCER American Wheel Franchise Tempting Former Burlesque Man's Return to Original Field, where He Accumulated Wealth. Didn't Do So Fancy with "High Brows/ 9 Starts in Again Next Season. Ed. F. Rush is back in burlesque, the place of his theatrical infancy, and where he made nearly all of the $150,- 000 he was credited being worth a few years ago. Mr. Rush will be an American Wheel producer next season. It is not un- likely he may make the re-start on the Wheels through the late Maurice Jacobs' show, operated by Mrs. Jacobs since the death of her husband. If this should eventuate, a mutual agreeable arrangement will be reached. Rush lives with his wife at New Ro- chelle, N. Y. He has not been in the best of health lately. Recent financial troubles are said to have contributed toward a depressed state of mind and health. Sam A. Scribner called upon him the other day and while talking told Rush he should be back in burlesque. Scrib- ner detailed what "the highbrows," as ho termed Rush's recent "$2" asso- ciates, had done to his bank roll. Rush agreed Scribner's advice was sound. Confiscation of a large sum by the Austrian Government, while Rush was in Vienna some time ago left him cramped in money matters. Lately some realty ventures in connection with new theatres on West 48th street further trimmed down his cash bal- ance. Some years ago Rush was of Weber & Rush, with L. Lawrence Weber his partner. They did not part on the best of terms. Each branched out individuallly after the dissolution. In the Weber & Rush days of bur- lesque Rush was accounted an astute producer. He is said to have sent "The Bon Tons" out one season with a $635 weekly payroll. It was acknowledged the best attraction on the wheel that year and made more money for the firm than the same show had ever turned in before. liberty "Loan totals. W T ith total returns still out the The- atrical Division of the Liberty Loan drive reports officially a sale of more than thirty-thre million dollars, a sum far in excess of that reached in both the previous drives. Returns are still coming in and many subscriptions have yet to be verified, but the amount men- tioned is sure and there is a strong possibility that this will rise to the thirty-five million mark. The theatres were placed in Class H with a maximum quota of ten million to reach, but with almost four times that amount assured show business feels proud it has done sufficient to be classified with the big business inter- ests. The Keith theatres alone ran a total close to 12 million, E. F. Albee gathering a subscription individually of $2,488,750. Mr. Alhec was chairman of the theatrical end of the drive and not only gave his own time, labor and monev, but gave the time and labor of the employees of the entire Keith cir- cuit. The publicity end of the drive was handled by Walter Kingsley, the Keith publicity director, Mr. Kinsley issuing daily bulletins on the returns of the theatrical end. Elmer Rogers, manager of Keith's Palace theatre, supervised the speakers, selecting artists from the various bills in Greater New York to speak for llie sales. Up to Wednesday morning the net returns were as follows: Belasco, $55,100; Gaiety, $33,700; Shu- bert, $326,950; Green Room Club, $23,- 300; Montauk, $1,750; Cohan & Harris theatre, $246,300; Cort, $109,200; New Amsterdam, $59,100; Plymouth, $53,350; Booth, $34,950; Park, $752,050; Bijou, $239,300; Three Arts Club, $1,500; Hal- sey St. theatre, $125,250; Metropolitan Opera House, $117,850; Longacre, $86,- 000; Morosco, $206,450; Hippodrome, $294,950; Strand, $206,700; Astor, $2,- 014,500; Maxine Elliott, $97,450; Rialto, $116,200; Rivoli, $131,950; Hudson, $452,- 650; 44th St, $176,100; Eltinge, $159,950; 39th St., $288,300; Casino, $356,700; Broadhurst, $90,000; Winter Garden, $400,000; Lambs' Club, $236,400; Crite- rion, $67,000; Empire, $61,000; Knicker- bocker, $175,950; Geo. M. Cohan thea- tre, $10,000; Comedy, $98,200; Proctor's 125th St, $127,350; Playhouse, $239,300; 48th St, $449,200; 81st St, $486,100; Proctor's 58th St., $125,350; Princess, $90,100; Republic, $276,350; Century, $172,950; Proctor's 5th Ave, $561,250; Riverside, $2,597,450; Liberty, $1,019,- 650; Harris, $63,050; Greenpoint, $108,- 550; Keith's Palace, $2,914,400; Colonial, $794,300; Orpheum, $1,358,900; Lyceum, $566,750; Royal, 239,200; Fox Circuit, $1,- 155,800; Alhambra, $164,200; Prospect, $254,300; Harlem Opera House, $392,400; Fulton, $34,000; Henry Miller theatre, $145,600; Stage Women's War Rel, $1,- 465,050; Columbia, $192,250; Vanderbilt, $175,350; Teller's Shubert, $107,200; 44th St. Roof, $500,000; Marcus Loew Cir- cuit, $2,402,900; Standard, $265,400; Globe, $157,000; Irving Place theatre, $100,000; French theatre, $10,500; Mr. Albee and others, $2,488,750; Proctor's 23d St., $104,950; Moss Circuit, $555,350; Bushwick, $300,000; various theatres through Mrs. Oscar Stevens, $25,300. The Hippodrome, Cleveland, on the Keith Circuit, made a big spurt last week when A. Paul Keith was on the ground. The spurt landed it among the topnotchers of the theatres on the Liberty Loan drive. Keith's, Washing- ton, it is believed, will be the ultimate leader, with around $4,000,000. Keith's, Philadelphia, is also well up. The Pal- ace, New York, leads the Metropoli- tan division, about $400,000 ahead of the Keith's Riverside. Artcraft and Paramount business and artistic officials can lay claim to a substantial contribution to the Third Liberty Loan. The actual figures on record are $39,896,000, exclusive of the amounts subscribed by members of the branch offices of Famous Players- Lasky Corp. and various stars and executives whose reports were not in at the time the above total was esti- mated. The final results of the Stage Wom- en's War Relief in Liberty Bond sub- scriptions total $2,398,808. At the sta- tionary theatre on the terrace of the public library $1,466,150 in bonds were sold, there having been 8.303 sub- scribers. The "traveling" which oper- ated along the streets in New York disposed of bonds to the value of $932,- 658, they representing 5,565 subscribers. Bringing Harlowe Back. Edward E. Rice believes he can suc- cessfully present Richard Harlowe in a vaudeville turn. Mr. Rice had Har- lowe under his management when "1492" was presented some years ago. Then Harlowe did a female imperson- ation, something he will likely attempt upon his return to the stage. Rice was offering Harlowe in the booking offices this week. BURLESQUE TIME EXTENDED. At the meeting of the board of di- rectors of the A-B-A on May 3, a com- mittee of three was appointed to look into the matter of adding three full weeks to the American Burlesque Cir- cuit and report at the regular board meeting here June 7. Among the weeks to be tacked on next fall is one that will find the American shows play- ing the Bronx. The sites for the new playing stands have been tentatively selected and all that remains is for the committee which comprises President George Peck, I. Herk, Chicago, and Judge Mul- ler, Cincinnati, to inspect them fur- ther prior to the official adoption for new time. As the committee was given power to close for the theatres something of an important nature is forthcoming at the June session. DELAYED SMOKES ARRIVE. There is much rejoicing around the Columbia and American burlesque of- fices over the arrival at the Columbia building of numerous acknowledg- ments from the United States troopers overseas announcing the safe distribu- tion among them at Christmas time of the "smokes" which the burlesque pro- fession and managers sent across. When no word was received for a long, long time after the shipment, it was generally believed that the boat carry- ing it had been sunk by a submarine. BURLESQUE'S LIBERTY SALES. The Casino, Brooklyn, of the bur- lesque houses around New York is said to have piled up the largest gross sale of Liberty Bonds, although all returns were not in up to Wednesday. The Columbia, New York, with but a 10-day sale, actually, disposed of $121,- 850. All of the Wheel houses are ex- pected to make a return approximating that amount. There are something like 68 theatres on the two regular burlesque wheels. HERK WILL OPERATE SHOW. I. H. Herk expected to jump back to Chicago but found some additional show duties requiring his presence here until later in the week. It is un- derstood that the Sam Sidman show, operative this season on the Columbia wheel, under Herk's franchise, will be operated by Herk personally next season and that a new show will be placed in the field. Herk will also be financially interested in a number of summer stock propositions in the mid- dle west. BEDINI CUTS OUT ONE SHOW. It is understood that Jean Bedini, who has two burlesque shows, "Puss, Puss" on the Columbia and the "Forty Thieves" company on the American cir- cuit, will only put out one show next season, passing up his American com- pany and devoting all his time to the other wheel show. Mor« Stock Burle»qu» Proposed. The latest theatre to propose stock burlesque is said to be the Alhambra in East New York (Brooklyn), man- aged by Mike Glynn. Mr. Glynn has not decided upon that policy though he has been talking it over with B. F. Kahn. Kahn is also said to have another local house in view for a part of his Metropolitan Stock Burlesque circuit. Last week Harry A. Shea opened his house at Union Hill, N. J., with a Kahn stock, doing satisfactory business, Shea says, considering the adverse'eon- ditions. This week there is another company there, also Kahn's. Summer Stock at Phil* Troc. The Trocadero, Philadelphia, follow- ing its regular season with "The Speedway Girls" this week, opens with a summer stock policy Monday. Jack Miller will head the Trocadero company. CURTIS AGENCY BOOKINGS. Cabaret bookings through the Billy Curtis agency for the past week are: Lamster and Young (Churchills), Miss Adele Archer (Pekin), Harry Murray and Miss Hray (Garden), Hortense Zaro (Moulin Rouge), Henry and La- zell (Keyser Garden), Newark; Eva Dowling, Gloria DeArcy (Martinique); Cosner & Odette, Pam Lawrence (Beaux Arts Cafe); Ollie Carew, La- Rosita (Regent Hotel); Little Jerry, Miss Englin, Eleanore Horte (Moulin Rouge), Atlantic City, N. J. The Boy- lans, Eleanore Pierce (Crown- Hotel), Providence, R. I. SUMMER SHOW OPENING. The summer attraction for the Co- lumbia, New York, starts into action Monday. It is "Hello America" with Lewis and Dody. The show played last week at the Apollo, Atlantic City. This week it is laying off, to rehearse the additions to the chorus which will number 34 when commencing the Broadway run. Some special attractions are said to have been placed with the show. Oth- erwise it is the production with the same feature players that traveled over the regular Columbia circuit the past season. MUST PAY OR BE DROPPED. The names of all members of the Burlesque Club who have not paid club dues for 1917 are posted on the bulle- tin board of the club, where they will remain until the sum is made good or the member is officially dropped at the annual meeting. June 1. The club has an active membership of 1,100 men. It is all cut and dried for the club to move into new quarters near the Times Square section, the final leasing of the new place being done this week. The present quarters ad- jacent the Columbia building are in- adequate. July 21 has been fixed for the club's annual outing. BURLESQUE CHANGES. Eddie Lester is ahead of Hughey Bernard's "Darktown Follies." Bert Weston and Sam Green opened as principal comedians with Minsky's stock burlesque at the National Garden, downtown, Monday. Activities in the Jacobs & Jermon offices show that Billy Arlington will again be principal comedian with "The Golden Crooks" next season, Lester Allen is under contract to reappear in "The Bon Tons," James Barton is re- turned to "Twentieth Century Girls," while Harry Morton again heads "The Burlesque Review." The Operative Co. has already engaged Cliff Bragdon and Ede Mae for its "Million Dollar Dolls." The O. C. this week engaged Turner and Dunbar from vaudeville to join the "Dolls" next season. ACQUITTED AND WORKING. Chicago, May 8. Ruby Dean, cabarcter, acquitted of the murder of Dr. Quitman, veterinary surgeon, with whom she was involved in a love affair, headlines at McVick- er's next week at $550 in a single sing- ing act booked by Jake Sternad, with the Rialto and Empress to follow. NAVAL BASE SHOW. Before 1,000 sailors last Friday night at the Bensonhurst (L. I.) Naval Base, the United Booking Offices tendered the boys an intertainment, gathered and directed for them by Jack Damp- scy and W. J. Sullivan of the U. B. O. The acts appearing were Effic Jean, s Phil Dwycr and Hazel Rice. Paul Ego- livitch and partner, Franklin Four, Josephine Leonard, Billy Broad. Red- mond and Wells. Florence Timponi, Laurence and De Varney, Gallarini and Son, with Minnie Blauman, pianiste.