Variety (May 1919)

I: jr. •; VAUOEVliLE *h WHO'S WHO-AND WHY IN VAUDEVB.LE (To ** te*tin*ed M • Mfiff, w»fA cn« £P/«<j\r fPTio Oftic/f uu<*ly. Nawf »/ twi'hr supplied upon request—this one by Johnny O'Connor (Wynn). DR. MAX THOREK. Thorekl Thorekl Sounds like a mouth wash.or the national gurgle of some new tribe of Bolshevik or it might even pass for the billing of some new long haired fiddler or the name of a throat pastille, a new kind of roof paint or an acrobatic troupe. But it isn't. It's the monicker of a little Hunyak born on the borderline be- tween Poland and Hungary about 40 years ago, a little egg who has done more real good for show people, for less credit or thanks, than all the in- dividuals or organizations of the trade combined. And funny enough, he's still doing it daily, doing it well and doing it gladly, vainly trying to inter- est someone big enough to help him do it better and on a bigger scale. Thorek blew into the theatrical lime- light several years ago. He had a humpty-dumpty little hospital on the west side of Chicago. It was a gloomy looking hive with squeaky stairs, chilly rooms and an exterior appearance that gave one the jumps. Up on the top floor, one of the rooms under the gabled roof had been converted into an operating chamber. It was small, but scrupulously clean and many an ailing chorus girl and many an actor, broke and friendless (but nevertheless an actor), was carried in, cut up, sewed together and restored to health—for nothing. Thorek, a little sympathetic, soft toned chap, has the uncanny something that makes one feel sure they are safe in his hands. And he likes show peo- £le, for Thorek is an artist himself and as that unexplained something in his make-up that attracts one artist to an- other. And along with that he has ability. He underrates the serious jobs and makes the average operation ap- pear to the subject as a mere matter of cut and sew. For several years he underwent two distinct thrills, once daily. He would enjoy that wonderful thrill of sending a cured individual out into the world showering appreciative thanks on the little benefactor and he would suffer that horrible thrill of chasing a bill collector out the same door without the coin, for Thorek was working on a shoe string and to run a hospital, even of the humpty dumpty brand, one must pay for foodstuffs, medicines and the props that go along with surgery. But Thorek couldn't toss an actor be- cause he was broke. And it seemed as though the bank roll birds always picked another slab to inhale their ether. One day a little woman was told in New York she must undergo an opera- tion immediately or die. It would cost lots of money in New York and she was broke. She wired Thorek. He wired her back to come on. She answered that she didn't have fare and this little Hunyak dug down and wired her transportation to Chicago on the 20th Century, met her at the train in an ambulance, operated, cured her and paid her fare back home. And no one ever heard of it. But this is only one of thousands of similar instances. The books show many thousands of dollars' worth of surgery work done that will never be paid for or heard of. Finally Thorek interested some local celebrities. Hon. Chas. Goodnow of the Chicago courts took the initiative. They established an association. This little group met weekly to devise means to raise a sufficient bank roll to build a new hospital. They finally did it Now the American Theatrical Hos- pital is out on the sunny north tide, equipped with everything modern med- ical or surgical science can think of and any actor broke and ill can find a room there. And any actor with the neces- sary coin can procure the best in the country there besides the most wonder- , ful thing in the world to a convalescing actor, mingling with your own tribe and gabbing about your own trade. Sunday at the Auditorium, Chicago, the American Theatrical Hospital As- sociation is staging a benefit perform- ance. They need lots of sugar to lift the mortgage, to pay the laundry bill, the meat bill, the medicine bill and the nurses' wages. The National Vaude- ville Artists has officially recognized the hospital and its chief surgeon- and it has the moral support and the endorsement of every prominent man and woman in the profession; The actor has been credited with es- tablishing a habit for benefits. It's to be hoped they will let the habit work overtime in this instance, for it's their own benefit. And it's one of those benefits, the importance of which doesn't crowd itself on one until the old back begins to ache or the family croaker sticks his thumb in'your gad- get and tells you your gophomopotis has gone democratic and it will cost a thousand bucks to get the wrinkles out And when the old cup in the cup- board that used to carry the change has nothing in it but a lot of cracks it's good'to know of a place where they will take you with a smile. But to keep the place going along they need the necessary and since the big fellows have overlooked it, it's up to you. Send along a case note, a deuce, a finer! or a saw-buck, but get your monicker on the list. MARRIAGES. William J. Gane to Edith Jane Fowler-Wittner, at Merchantville, N. J., May 17. Frank Alvah Stone, son of Florence Stone, to Sarah Ethel Osborne, in Los Angeles, May 19. George Jessel was married to Flor- ence Courtney (Courtney Sisters) in New York last week, according to re- port Charles Clary (pictures) to Margaret Bechtel, of Pittsburgh, in Los Angeles. The wedding took place four months ago, but only recently came out James G. Serretti, formerly with Gus Edwards, to Gladys M. McGuire (non- professional), at City Hall, N. Y., May 13th. Tavie Beige (Octavie Belley) to Marechal des Logis E. P. Hendricks, secretary to the Belgium War Mission, May 23, at the Belgian Church, New York. Mile. Beige appeared earlier in the season in "Fiddlers Three." The couple will leave for Belgium early next month. MACGREGOR'S "DREAM GIRL." Edgar MacGregor as soon as he finishes the staging of the George White "Scandals of 1919," will immedi- ately start work on a new musical pro- duction based on "The Road to Yester- day." Florence Mills has been placed under contract for it BIRTHS. Mr. and Mrs. Lew M. Goldberg, son. Mr. Goldberg is the Chicago agent Mr. and Mrs. Slauson (Slauson and Tyson), at San Diego, May 12, daugh- ter. ARTISTS' FORUM mar Confine letters to 160 words and write on one side of paper only. Anonymous eamnaunlcatlons will not be printed, and will be held in oonldence, if desired. Name of writer must be signed Letters to be published in this calumn must be written exclusively to VARIETY. Duplicated letters will not be printed. ••„.'•• Trenton, N. J., May 14. Editor Variety- : We, the undersigned, have been with Capt. Frank Tinney in his show called "Atta Boy." We hereby give Frank Tinney the name and he shall be known to all men in uniform as Y. M. C A. Tinney. We, who are wounded men, and saw service in France and served our coun- try faithfully, came back and joined Frank Tinney's company. Here is his promise: 40 weeks at $30 a week. We got $30 for eight weeks. Then, he cut our salary to $25. Then to $15 (for Holy Week only), then back to $25. He closed us on a one-week notice which was verbal and undecided, and he knew himself a month ahead that he was to close here: This closing here without a two week's notice put a lot of us on the bum. As some of the soldiers and sailors live in California, Seattle, Wash., and Oklahoma, he told the boys to stick to him and he would see and help the boys home. As he promised us 25 per cent of the profits which was published in the first week of January in Variety, we believe that by writing to you, you may help us in some way to get this money due us, as we are broke and don't know which way to turn. (Signed) Burt Cohn, Girard Hotel, City. (128 East 123d St.) John M. Simmons, Jr. H. M. Bunker . L. C. Weil Amios D. Jordan T. Harris W. Smiths _• D. Stewart Spencer Dan D. Weiss New York, May 21. Dearest Editor: <f? What's this stuff about Jack Lait reviewing shows so he can get acts to write? Is that why you never let me review any shows, or do you think I cause enough trouble to actors with my material? Does Lait think he is funny because Emma Car us laughs with his stuff? Emma can make anybody's stuff sound funny—I know because I have written for her. Do you think a man can get that way from living in Chicago? I had a show there once. When I read the first notice the morning after I opened, I packed my grip. When I read the second notice I checked out of the ho- tel. After the third notice I was on the train, and "Judge, that's all I fe- member." I will admit that Lait and myself are about the cleverest people writing for your paper, but I demand a re- count on Lait's contract, if he reviews so he may write. It is against all pro- visions of Section 42 of the League of Notions. If Mr. Lait wants to go further into the matter I demand the right to cen- sor anything he may write. You know me, Tommy Gray. [Sole author of Tommy's Tattles and the man who increased Variety's cir- culation by leaving his column out.] Portland, Ore., May 10. Editor Varibtt: In Varibtt, May 22, in the review of Jack Kennedy and Co., is mentioned business of calling "Fore" off stage, followed by golf balls bounding on stage, etc. For three years we have been using an opening in which "Fore" is called off stage and golf balls fly on stage. One strikes man on his head, followed by entrance of lady. Carry special set- ting showing golf course. If you will look at Variety dated February 1, 1918, under "New Acts.'V you will find review of Wolf and Wnv ton at Proctor's 58th Street Theatre, and this piece of business particularly mentioned. While the business is not identical there is a similarity of ideas. Wolf and Wilton. ?--*s New York, May 19. i Editor Varibtt: I shall appreciate it very much if you" will publish the enclosed in your next issue. \'-:'.' ':.v;-j- ; Regarding sending young women overseas at present, I said: That I questioned the advisability of sending young women abroad now merely to entertain the soldiers. :. That it was an entirely different mat- ter when their services were needed as nurses, canteen workers and ambu- lance drivers during the period of war activity. .v> ; \ That I wholly admired and respected the noble work performed by our;; women overseas. ; « Regarding women smoking: , ; ■ That I regretted this habit was on the increase. I never stated that 70 per cent, of women doing war work smoked. Elisabeth Marbnryyr^: (In last week's Varibtt. was. a.letter written by Tom Barry, who took ex- ception to the remarks anent the work of women workers abroad during the war. Mr. Barry wrote his letter in reply to an article which appeared in "the New York Times," dated May 12.) W., B. & S. Drop Out of Society. Waterson, Berlin & Snyder, through it's representative, Leo Lewin, who at-' " tended the meeting of the Convention of Musicians, last week, in Dayton,'■■'•' withdrew as members of the American Authors and Composers' Society. The resignation became necessary on - account of the fact that the firm's or- - chestra department was seriously handicapped under the membership regulations. '.'; According to the regulations the so- v ' ciety could restrain any place from playing certain pieces, unless the pro- ;i prietor and publishers of the piece were both honorary members. , ■ IN AND OUT. Aerial DeGroffs replaced Marie Haft }■ at 5th Ave., Thursday. Miss Hart/ fractured an arm during her act Lane Harper left the bill at Loew's New Rochelle, N. Y, the first half through illness. Jane Taylor replaced him. i; ■• Emma Bunting and Carlton Jerome, of the Emma Bunting Stock, at the 14th Street Theatre, arc taking two weeks' vacation prior to their open- ing of summer stock. mm A wm i ; J IP YOU DONT ADVERTISE EN VARIMY- DON'T ADVERTISE A