Variety (June 1922)

*■ TECHNICAL CARNIVAL INFORMATION I • There are various classes of carnivals, but tho usual classification gives .Ja types of show, namely: **° iyp GILLEY SHOW i ■* ^^ which owns no wagons or flat railroad cars. This type of . w travels in passenger service using box or baggage car furnished by • llroad company. The railroad also furnishes day coach or coaches to* the accommodation of the people. The charges are based on the lumber ot passengers—so many passengers for each baggage car. The bhow's equipment is hauled to and from lo to railroad yards by local transfer man, with whom contract is made for this work by the agents bf the show. - - RAILROAD SrlOW ? All of the larger and better carnival organizations own their own rail- road cars, the train consisting of flat cars, upon which to load wagons, itoclc cars for stock, baggagj car for small material trunks, concession frames and tents and merchandise used by concessionaires. Sleeping oars for performers and employes and a dining car usually known as the nrivilege car. This type of show moves in freight department by con- tract known as "special freight" or "circus movement." The bulk of the show equipment is loaded Into large circus wagons, which are carried on Hat cars. The show's .executive offices are usually in a spe- cial wagon. This kind of show usually carries a few teams of baggage stock or draft horses. Many of the larger ones own heavy tractors, which have proven highly satisfactory for hauling wagons to and from the i A good tractor will easil/ walk away with two heavily loaded full- glted circus wagons. PAY ATTRACTIONS • These include all shows and riding device.* and any attraction where an admission price Is charged at the ticket box such as Merry-Co-Bound. Whip. Ferris Wheel. Sea Planes. Aeroplane. Swing*. Frolic. Dodgem and all side shows. FREE ATTRACTIONS Sensational and novelty acts used to attract ;md to hold people on a midway. Only the mailer shows carry free acts. Usually high diver, aerial acrobatic or bicycle leap or loop the loop. The feature free act is always staged late at night. It is only necessary where side sht)ws are too weak to hold people on the lot. BALLY SHOWS "• A bally show or "sit-down" show Is an attraction which offers a com- plete performance lasting Vom 20 to 45 minutes. In order to sell the show the ballyhoos are given on the ballystage or platform outside of ths tent Here the performers show themselves to the public while the show talker makes an announcement explaining the nature of the show. From two to three ballys are usually necessary to get an audi- ence. A good talker with an attractive bally will till his tent with one spiel. This is known as 'turning 'em." GRIND SHOW A grind show i; a show where a continuous Show is given and where no ballyhoo or announcement* is necessary. This applies to pit shows, platform shows, walk through and mechanical fun houses. The talk- ing, which is usually done by the ticket seller is known as "grinding," and the spielers on this type of show are known as all day talkers or all day grinders. A PLATFORM SHOW Sometimes built on a specially constructed wagon is a show with an Individual attraction, usually a human freak or living curiosity. The enclosure in which the attraction is exhibited being raised up from the ground, acts as its own ballyhoo, and as both front and sides are left open the crowds on the midway are attracted by curiosity of the desire to know what the other fellow is looking at. STRING SHOW A string show is a pit show with a number of pit* or onelosures In which the attractions are displayed. These are usually human or animal freaks with a few papier mache fakes, such as double-headed babies, the f devil child, and impossible prodigies of all kinds. These shows are often advertised as 10 in 1 or 20 in 1, etc. WALK-THROUGH SHOW A walk-through show is a mechanical fun factory with laughter-pro- ducing devices, and in which the visitor walks through a darkened cor- ridor to exit at the other end. Fun houses include such mechanical Shows as the House Upside Down, Haunted Swing, Katzenjammer Cas- tle, Old Hell Ship, Through the Falls, and other mechanical laugh shows. Ths Crystal Maze, which is a series of passages with mirrored walls, Is another favorite walk-through show. CONCESSIONS The concessions with the larger shows are invariably legitimate, al- though all midway organizations carry merchandise wheels. The mer- chandise wheel is accepted and permitted almost everywhere outside of New York City and at all of the state and county fairs, with few ex- ceptions. MERCHANDISE WHEELS These are concessions where various sorts of merchandise are given away to those holding the paddle containing the number at which the wheel stops. There are usually three numbers or chances on each pad- dle. In recent years the "lay down" has superseded the paper paddle, jUI It means faster money. With the lay down, a lay out with corre- sponding numbers Is painted on the counter. The player places his dime on the number of his choice. When all numbers are covered somebody must win a prize at every turn of the? wheel. The conces- sionaire is assured of a profit, as there are always enough numbers to allow a margin for the storekeeper. The wheels are usually sold "ex- clusive" for a specified type of merchandise, and where no exclusives are sold, seldom more than two of similar kind are allowed. The pre- dominant wheel displays are dolls, silverware, blankets, ham and bacon, baskets of fruit, baskets of groceries, silk shirts, « ndy, electric table lamps, etc., etc. P. C. WHEEL A P. C. wheel is operated precisely the same as a merchandise wheel, excepting that one dollar bills are given away instead of prizes. The •tore Is usually flushed with merchandise. This form of wheel is very popular with the public. Most shows will tolerate at least one or two *. C wheels, where the local authorities are agreeable. • GRIND STORE A Qrin I Store is an ordinary concession with a ten-cent game, of skill for which merchandise prizes are given to the winners. Those include Rop Vm ins," "hoop la," roll down. Japanese box ball, knifo and cane racks. All legitimate ball gaires and racks may also be described as Krind stores " STRONG JOINTS . Strong joints are crooked games of all types, usually operated with control devices. These include flat whe.ds. spindles, drop cases, hand strikers and pick outs. The "pick out" is known as peek 'em" stoVe. Numbers corresponding with those on the prizes ire placed in envel- °I>e«. The player has little chance to beat the game. The device which ^controls the strong joint is Known in the vernacular as "the sque*ie, M "»e pinch" or "the gimmick." The spot is a game which is classed as a fhf 16 ° f 3kiU and r,1I °wed to operate a'r.ywhere. As a matter of fact, ""■ game Is almost impossible to beat, although with practice one can ^ulre the knack, SH ILLS' u«If e ? 4U " ,: tlM "•tieM" (sometimes catted i steifej ire the cap per I 2J by strong-joint workers to encourage the suckera. With crooked joints only the sticks or shil's are perrai tfl to win. The sucker always ram * lo - s,1 » • (None of the bigger and better shows tolerate crooked EJJJJJ or 8 *rong joints. Although some will permit percentage wheels *c* r ° loc,-1 l conditions are favorable, the big shows which are out after attr ti* 8 f ° r th * ,,ig naUon «l e xposition s and state fairs present real brln ! * f>f cI '* an * in ess and merit. These attractions are able to earn? i revcnue enough to carry the show and piy a profit. The small val which has no worth while shows is compelled Lo depend upon m concessions. AMERICANS IN EUROPE Mr. and Mrs. Rosenborg are here accompanied by their son, Jerome. They are sightseeing. Gatti-Casazza, manager of the Metropolitan, New York, has gone to Milan; Hamilton Fish Armstrong, of Now York "Evening Post," has arrived In Paris from Bohemia; Reginald C, Bobbin* author, of Boston, has arrived in Paris from Switzerland; Charles W. Price, president of the New York Interna- tional Trade Press, is taking the cure at Bad-Nauheim; Louis Gra- veur and Raymond Burt, of New York, have been appearing ii\ con- certs in Berlin; Olive Fremstad, soprano, is resting in Switzerland. Among visitors to Paris last week were Jesse Lasky and family, Will- iam Harris, Jr. and Mary Garden. Miss Zenita, the dancing violinist, is in Paris, arranging for a new musical act. Little Lydia VVeltsrh.-ff. pianist. 8 years of age, gave a eon. en May 25 In Pari . Abe again department looked like 'Ming Toy shoe shop Attell busted Into print last week after the lire started lamping what a fire plant within the Bootery," a P.road way in which An el has a half interest. The night watch- man of a basement cafe discovered fluid dripping through a trap door crack from the shop above and on investigation found it to be gaso- line. Entrance to the store was made and it was alleged a quan- tity of papers soaked with the in- flammable fluid were found. It was also said the door was locked. Re- ports in the dailies stated the ex- pugilist wis to be questioned. SOUTH CLOSING Four Keith Booked Towns Will Re- main Opsn The Keith southern houses booked by Jule Delmar, which have re- mained open longer this season than ever before during the hot months, will close shortly. The Palace, New Orleans, and Mobile close June 18. Birmingham and Atlanta, discontinue June 10; Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Louisville and Nashville conclude Juno 24. Norfolk, Roanoke, Richmond and Charlotte may remain open all summer, due to the unusual cool weather prevailing and the close proximity to New York. . Outdoor amusements and sum- mer parks In Dixie have received the toughest break in 20 years from the weather man. Last season the Oelmar houses closed four Week* earlier than at prevent. ENGAGEMENTS Jeanne Kagles, for 'A Gentlemen's Mother," by Martin Brown (Sam H. Harris.) Lew Brlee, "Love and Kisses." Lewis and Brown, with "Green- wich Village Follies." ILL AND INJURED Melville Rosenow, of the Jenle Jacobs office, confined to his home for several weeks as the result of a nervous breakdown, has left the city to recuperate. v - MIDWAY SHOWS SCARCE; IN EVIDENCE IN JERSEY JULIAN ELTINGE After i s-Tnational st-asofi on the Keith, Orpheum and Interstate Circuits has igain proven himself pre-eminent as the delineator of female characterizations Closing season this week (May 2d;, at 8. F. Keith's Palace, New York.) Independent Organization Opened With But One or Two Shows % * Convincing proof of the sc;ireity of Independent midway shows w is amply demonstrated in a New Jer- sey "spot" a week or .*,»» ago. it was the occasion of the opening pf a show owned by one of the best known managers in the business The show, which has hitherto heen in tho 25-car class, was sold last Cull by its owner, who is also owner of another big midway organization or carnival company. The reopen- ing of the show was widely Heralded and a big line-up of attractions was promised, but when the time for tho show's initial opening came only one or two shows reported for business and the midway presented a crestfallen and sorry appearance on the opening night. Since tho opening stand new shows have been added, one at a time, in Jersey lost week there was a vast Improve- ment. The show is under the man- agement of a capable and experi- enced showman, but in spite of this and of the popularity of the shows title, some difficulty was evidently experienced In getting together a satisfactory line-up of suitable at- tractions. Last season was the worst, finan- cially. In many years, and even the fairs failed to make up for the losses of tho carnival dates during the earlier part of the season. Owners of independent shows have not for- gotten their'experiences of the past and the wiser ones prefer to leave their equipment In the barn rather than go to the trouble and expense of framing up for a too early start. The real carnival season In the East is rarely at its best until the end of June and the wise and wary side show owners appears to be tak- ing; advantage of his dearly bought knowledge nnd playing safe. The real harvest for the carnival and Its Aide features Is at the fairs where, with any decent kind of a break, all fear of bloomers and dead spots is cast to the winds. . HOUSES CLOSmo Sunday concerts of Keith vaude- ville at the National Winter Gar- den, New York, were discontinued for the summer Sunday (May 28). The house is operated by the Mln- eky Bros, and plays burlesque stock during the week. Palace, South Norwalk, Conn., pop vaudeville. started picture policy this wcok for balance of summer. Playhouse, Passaic, N. J* pop vaudeville, split week, has discon- tinued vaudeville over tho summer. Pictures will be the hot Weather policy. Koosevelt, West Hoboken. pi ly- ing pop vaudeville, has a picture policy over tho summer. The Strand, Hoboken, has dis- continued its split week vaudeville policy for the summer. Sunday vaudeville shows are given, with the house remaining dark the remainder of the week. Strand, Bayonne, June 11. (•(immunity. Meriden, Conn., May 27. The Myrtle, Brooklyn, N. Y., closes June 4. Vaudeville will be discontinued at the Kurtz, Bethlehem, Pa., June 10. Pictures for the summer. IN AND OUT Bobby Higglns and company, un- able to open Monday at Keeney's, Brooklyn, N. T. One of the women in the act reported III. "Keep Smil- ing" filled In. Barker and Dunn were out it the Boulevard. New York, Mou.li/, due to illness. Pedrick and l>e Vere substituted. Talbot and Meyers were out of tho Harlem O. II.. New York, last half, due to Miss Meyers suffering a sprained ankle. NEW ACTS IJonel Atwdl will play several weeks for the Keith circuit this summer In a dramatic sketch by Hdgar Allan Woolf. Katherine Mackey, leading lady for Mr. At- will In "The Grind Hiike," will he In the cast. "Look Who's Here." three p-^iple comedy skit featuring Jack Ellis Produced by J ick Blue, with special songs by LJ-lie Midden and Ji k Snyder. Harry Lee and Jime* Wor.-cly. two-act. Lee was formerly of Ho,-y an<J Lee. Wor.sely was formerly with Jimmy Hussey. l *