Variety (March 1921)

Friday, March 25, 1921 LIETY'S SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE &an ifrannsco 19 PANTAGES THEATRE BUILDING LURIE HEILIG CIRCUIT. irran Tied Up to Northwest Theatre Chain. . ___ San Francisco, March 23. Reports that Calvin Heillg of ortland, owner of a string of jeatre in the northwest would be iterested in the Curran theatre n n g with Louis Lurio, who holds ', 20-year lease on the house have 'Stotf'Voi.iivnMU.' - -' " • > » > »■ v » It is stated by Lurie that his new interests will extend to the other theatres owned by Heillg and that the circuit will be operated under the combined management. Heillg l*g already made preparations for a visit to New York in behalf of the circuit. Ho plans booking many attractions for the houses. YIDDISH CO. PROSPERS. San Francisco, March 23. • Negotiations are under way by the Yiddish Literary and Dramatic Society 3f San Francisco and Oak- land to secure exclusive Pacific Coast rights of successful dramas and comedies which have already been staged in the east, according to M. Farber and H. Popkin, super- vising directors for the society. Busuicss has been good at the Fillmore street home of Yiddish plays, the Republic. A general re- duction of 25 cents has been made in the prices of admission. The so- ciety, which is running on the commonwealth plan, contemplates bringing loading Yiddish artists to the coast fur short engagements. ALCAZAR DEAL OFF. San Francisco, Ma.ch 23. rop sals to send road attractions Into the Alcaxar during the con- struction of the new Curran house have fallen through. A report cur- rent last week that George Davis, former manager of the Alcasar. would assume the management of the houre again has also come to naught. Lionel P. Samuels, present general ma.jigt v of the house, will continue. CURRAN CO. INCORPORATES. ^ San Francisco, March 23. The Curran Theatre Co. was in- * corpora ted here last week for $500,- 000. The incorporators are Homer Cur- ran, J. J. Shubert, Herman Wobber and Herbert Rothchild. A.-H. Salt Lake April 3. San Francisco March 23. Sam Harris of Ackerman-Harris left for Salt Lake last Monday night to arrange for the opening of the new Loew State In that city April 3. He was accompanied by his son, Herbert. ^— I 0RPHEUM, SAN FRANCISCO. San Francisco, March 23. The Orpheum had rather a life- less bill this week. It lacked both class and weight. While there was nothing commendable in it, never- theless It kept the stage crews unusually busy, as only a couple of acts worked in olio. This caused several stage waits. The Topics, in- serted between the fifth and sixth acts, afforded some relief and pro- vided laughs as well. The show was further crippled through the absence of Pobby O'Neill, featured member of the headline offering, "Four Queens and the Joker," who remained in Seattle. wh» re bo underwent an operation. Charles Irwin, on the same bill, re- plaeed O'Neill in the act in Port- land, and was quite at home in the part here and the act headlined Successfully despite O'Neill's ab- sent e. Irwin joshed his way through In great style and the comedy derived from bis :.d llbbing. which included announcements where the original role called for dancing, made him a popular substitute. The scen'c in- vestiture, pretty costumes, and Kav runis. Dorothy Godfrey, Babettc Busey and Mabel Ferry as Queens of Cards proved a good novelty and won fine appreciation. Fradkln and Miss Jean Tell al- most held up the show, the big ap- plause coming from Fradkln'a mas- terly violining, although Miss Toll's soprano also counted in the big re- turns. Arman Kalis and Co., held over, repeated well, but could not elicit enough applause this week at the finish for speech making this week. "Moonlight," with Marie Holly, was enjoyed, although the ffoMola iorai!i«rtauta ar.*'t!»-prJri*.- cipals worthy of something better. Charles Irwin was accorded a good reception while appearing in his own act next to closing, and scored solidly with his bright, snappy talk and clean monologing. Charles D. Keating and James McClay, characterizing Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer, were not taken seriously in the characters. Keat- Ing's good voice was soundly ap- plauded, but McClay's falsetto did not fare so well. Alfred Farroll and Carley gave the show a slow start with their rag pictures and painting, while the Nagyfys held them In surprisingly well at closing. Jacfc Joseph8. PANTAGES, SAN FRAN0ISC0. San Francisco, March 23. The show this week is many points ahead of the average Pan- tagfs bill, though a little shy on comedy. Sampsell-Leonard & Co. gave the showing lots of class with an at- tractively presented singing and dance offering. Don Matthews was at the piano and the act is worthy of any*big time program. Tom Kelly, with stories and a powerful voice, had them laughing and applauding throughout his stay next to closing and took the show's hit. Torelli's Comedy Circus made a pleasing closing number, while the Sterling Saxophone Four re- ceived big applause for well chosen selections^ Emett Baker was In front andrkept things moving with good jazsV.notes. The Lkfljftsmithfi went on second. Their/clj*wning acrobatics, In which well trained dogs are a distinct fea- ture, registered a big success. Betty Eldert and Co. In "Apple Blossom Time" deserved a better spot than opening. Miss Elderfs excellent voice and Imitation of the violin and other instruments se- cured big applause. The man's bird whistling also went well, but his comedy efforts and some quiet dialog and old gaga df tract. Jack Josephs. LOEWS HIPPODROME. San Francisco, March 23. The Hippodrome show this week is fairly good in spots. Harry Hines headlined and received more billing than is usually allotted the feature vaudeville offering here, where feature pictures are usually given the edge on the display over the human portions of the bill. Hines secured the show's hit next to closing, though he showed noth- ing new in stories or songs. But his clever delivery is what counted, and his dance bits with apologies brought laughs. A song plugger from a box is used to close Jack Gregory and Co.'s act, which made a flash opener with a speedy hoop juggling routine good for any time. Jack and May Graham failed to register in secon* spot with a sing- ing and dance routine and some comedy bits only fairly well han- dled. Bond, Berg and Co. got laughs with a hoaky farce on a gruesome subject, while Ector and Dena de- voted most of their time to worth- less talk, although both display ex- cellent voices which register strong- ly, as did the man's steel guitar playing. The Gypsy Trio offered some good Russian stepping in closing uosition. Jack Josephs. sented In two scenes, the first rep- resenting the office of the Purple Pill Company and the second the home of Bill Dooley (Lew Dunbar). King and Du n b a r were in their customary characters of Ike Leschlnskey and Mike Dooley re- spectively. The chorus of 30 girls In nine singing and dancing num- bers led by the various principals were Interpolated. Judging from the way the show was received more plays of this class would enhance the value of thoXtagp p7odoe*kMMEi provide.*-suit- able pieces can be secured that could be abbreviated and fit the principals. The advertising value x>f estab- lished pieces and the high grade manner of presentation by the capable King players could easily command an increased admission scale. The vaudeville section held a nice assortment of acts with plenty of comedy. Lizzie B. Raymond and Co. sent over the biggest laughing hit with a comedy sketch, "Welcome Home," which has some bright and breezy lines. Miss Raymond in the char- acter of the Irish mother gives the sketch plenty of action. Jack Murphy aim Josephine Lockmar were another comedy success in the closing spot with comedy and talk, emphasized by the size of the woman, who is the object of much kidding by he*r partner. Their travesty bits on "Bring Back Those Old Dramatic Days" brought them back for an encore consisting of a burlesque dance good for laughs. Otis Mitchell made himself solid with his talk and banjo playing. He stopped the show In the second position. Reece and Gardner, a mixed team of classical dancers carrying their own drops, made a pleasing impression opening the show. Black and White did not ap- pear owing to one of the girls hurt- ing her knee at the previous sh^w. FRISCO NOTES. San Francisco, March 23d. •Bringing Up Father" Cid $r».5oo at the Savoy Its first week. Business heltl up the second week. OBITUARY DANIEL W. MAHONEY Daniel W. Mahoney died at the family home, 128 Cottage street. Auburn, N. Y-, March 21, after an illness of about six weeks. Mr.'Ma- honey, a vaudeville artist, was taken sick in Worcester, Mass., while playing th^re with his company and Ulldh fife advYs-e' *rf-"linynhyjichi.*< came home six weeks ago. At first /v. Joseph Bauer, manager of "the Wigwam theatre in the Mission has purchased a lot at California and Polk streets where he contemplates erecting a theatre. Herman Heller, leader of the Cali- fornia theatre's orchestra, is ill at his home from pneumonia. The National Vaudeville Artists annual benefit at the Orpheum thea- tre, this city, is to be held Friday matinee, April 8th. Clair Starr (Mrs. Will King) is homo from a visit in the east where she studied the musical comedies as representative for her husband. Selbinl and 1 Grovinl have been signed by the Ben Fuller circuit for a tour of Australia. They leave in September. Otis Mitchell now tour- ing out west for Loew has also been booked by Fuller. He leaves in May. Billy Klliott, lead with the revue for Hugh D. Mcintosh in Australia, has signed for another year with Fuller. Alec Lorrimorc has resigned as hoad of the Paramount Company in Australia. LOEWS CASINO. San Francisco, March 19. "A Pair of Sixes," offered by the Will King Co. at the Casino, was quite a departure from the usual King productions and probably the first royalty piece thnt has been presented by King during his long stock run at this house. The farce was condensed to conform with the usual running time Of the King of- ferings which rompri:; an hour or mori- Of the WO?kIy I ntcrtainment at each show. The show was pre- Ward and Sherman, American performers, are now surrounded with a special' revue in Sydney. Two additions to the Annette Kel- lerman road show which will tour Australia for Ben Fuller, were an- nounced last week. They are Mr. and Mrs. Henderson who will pre- sent "The Picture of Dorian Gray.'* ancT Bert Wiggins. Jack Freeman, formerly of Barnes and Freeman, has allied with Ches- ter Conkling. formerly in local oflice of M. Witmark m Sons, and is preparing an act. Bert Levey left for the east last Monday night. Me plans stopping over at New Orleans for a short C. BLUMENTHAL & CO., Inc. • REALTY BROKERS SPECIALISTS IN THEATRICAL FINANCING LEAG1NG AND CONSTRUCTION IN THE WEST 58 SUTTER STREET SAN FRANCISCO When in SAN FRANCISCO YOl "UK Sl1lK TO MKKT TIH.>I AT THE PALS GRILL AN <;<M>I> I DIM) — POrt I.AU I'KK I> l«ANK, t'.i r.v. 'it rnui'.l.l. Anil HASON Sir ••' : «•« »\ TINKNTA I. Ill •'; K. r.OUIIY PAUL HANSEN. Mgr. i.r> i:i.i.».- - t .■!. .1. I». Williams, general manager for r*irsi National, is In S;m Pran- *.v^-.r< for a -'"nler'-w-.-wiU.' ,' p im (>••> and liiihnUen. local franchise hosi- ers for the com pan). Horace Goldin, th<- magician. h;i^- !>e. ii named defendant in a 14,520.6^ suit l».v l Lawrence, Ltd.. a Urttisii coVkojui.'. - . titling through their local attorney*, Ellcrmnn, Smyth it ai>- boft. The action is based >n an Kugiish judgment i\v ml of .lime 7. inn; For '.*'•', I pounds which In Am*: icon money under the present rate of exchange totals the sum sued for The complaint f.ni-< to Mate the manner m which he Lfl \vr»e< e com pan.\ secured thnt Judgment award. he seemed to Improve but after a short time he developed typhoid fever. He was born In Auburn on May 30, 1S83. He is survived by his mother and one brother, John. Daniel Mahoney, Sr., died In July last year. The decease" is regis- tered at the National Vaudeville Artists" as of Mahoney and Auburn. GEORGE HOWARD. Cleorge Howard, one of the best known managers in stock circles on the coast, died suddenly at his home in Vancouver March 17. He was 5fi years of age. Mr. Howard was long a partner with Oliver Bailey, now in New York, in a number of CQfCat stock ventures. Together they took a stock company to Alaska In 11)10. playing in all of the gold country towns. Mr. Howard has controlled the Empress, Vancouver, for some time, the house playing stock. A new theatre now building there was to have been his. LA BELLE FATIMA. Mrs. Abdo Abelnour, the original La Belle Fatlma, died at her homo in Venice. Gal., March 14, of heart failure. SShe \yas 41 years of age. and came to this country in 189t» from Syria, dancing In New York and Chicago, later making a reput.i- ittfw -at" M\e 8fc I-.omv World's Pair. Her husband and a daughter sir - vivc. CHARLES F. DOWLING. Charles F. Howling, 36, who was for ten years treasurer of tho Hush wick theatre in Brooklyn, died March 17, following an operation for appendicitis in a New York "Hospi- tal. He was a native of Meridau, Conn. "BIG ALMA." Alma Hamilton, MrsX Alma Hamilton, known to show folks as "Big Alma," as having appeared as .t fat woman, weight 7L'5 pounds, died in Los Angeles. March 15, after an Illness of over a month, during which she lost 230 pounds. l4ist November she was married to John II Hamilton, weighing 155. SAMUEL K. CHE8TER Samuel K. Chester, 87 years old. died March 20 in the Actors' Ifund Homo on Staten Island. He was bcrn in Baltimore and appeared with Booth, Forrest, Maggie Mitch- ell and* other well known stars of another day. For the last twenty years be has lived at the profes- sional home, where his wife died some time since. Masonic services were hel i at the Funeral Church, Broadway and 66th street, March 22 and interment was in Kvergreen Cemetery, Brooklyn, where the de- c-cured wife lies buried. WILLIAM LAWRENCE. William Lawrence, successor of Penman Thompson as Uncle Josh in "The Old Homestead," died in Bos- ton March 17, after four days' ill- ness. He collapsed during a per- formance of the old play. Mr. Law- rence had played the role more than 3,000 times and during his associa- te with Mr. Thompson, the pair frequently doubled in the part, Mr. Thompson playing it in the first and fourth acts, \#hile Lawrence handled it in the second and third. KATHERINE TALBOT. The wife of Franklin (Jrabam. known professionally as Katherine Talbot, died suddenly March 1, after an operation. Mrs. Graham was a former mem- ber of the Winter (Jarden and Zieg- feld "Follies" companies. Her last appearance was about two years, r i "Oh Boy" in association with her husband. A husband and two- year-old son survive. JACK McCLELLAN .lack McClellan. musical director, died on his sister's ranch at Santa Rosa, March 6. McClellan was stricken with a paralytic stroke while directing his own show at RSveretti Wash., about six months :i'A<», and has been residing or the Hants Koaa ranch since, FRED LYONS. Fred F. Leyva, professionally known as Fred Lyons, screen actor, was killed in an auto accider.t on the morning of March 16. The ma- chine in which be was driving with a woman companion skidded and overturned. JENNY TWICHELL KEMPTON. Madame Jenny Twichell Kemp- ton, noted contralto singer and famed concert and operatic star of decades ago, died March 14 at the home of her daughter in Los An- geles. She was 86 years of age. Mrs. John Dolsn, four of whoso daughters were on the stage, died at her home In Boston March 21. Three of the girls used the name of Merrill professionally. Agnes Mer- rill married CJeorge M. Cohan; Alice Merrill wed Sam H. Harris and Lola Merrill Is the wife of Frank Otto. The fourth daughter ap- peared professionally as (trace Dolan. The wife of Lester Hose, the- atrical advertising man, died ;larch 'J I, suddenly. from ptomalu" poisoning. Mrs. Forest Madison, private sec- retary to Harry Singer, died i:i Al- huqueniue, New Mexico, of tuber- culosis. Mrs. Msria Bowe Hurd, sister of Charles II. liowe, manager of the Lyric. Buffalo, died Feb. 26 at her home i that city. Leo Donnelly, about to leave his hotel one day last week, was met by another actor guest of the house who asked him if be might borrow his razor. Leo asked him to cone- up to his room where the acquain- tance shaved himself and upon completing the job asked if he might borrow a collar. The request was granted and a request for a cravat and a ahlr£ then followed. Having granted these additions the philanthropist asked why the rcei- plent did not go to bis own room for such necessities. The acquain- tance replied that the hotel was holding his belongings on aOCOUOl of an over due bill and that he had to look fit as he was to be m.ni • I that day. Charles Bornhaupt will sail fof Kuropc, accompanied by his wiiv, May 'j on the s. w. Lapland. HEADQUARTERS GREEN ROOM CLUB Thespians* Rendezvous Supreme Cafe BIG REVUE FEATURES COLUMBIA THEATRE SAN FRANCISCO and GEARY MASON SCENERY OWSN H. FLAGG STUDIOS