Variety (June 1922)

10 OUTDOOR AMUSEMENTS Friday, June 18, 1J CIRCUSES ON COAST FRAMING FOR BATTLE Ringlings and Sells-Floto Both Announced—Each Due to Arrive in September San Francisco, June 14. The advent of advance agents for two circuses to each reach here in September portends a battle of no mean dimension, according to com- mon opinion around, between the Ringlings' Barnum-Bailey and the Sells-Floto. Sells-Floto looked upon this ter- ritory as its own before the Mug- givan-Ballard group purchased it from Tammen & Bonfils. It has been a long while since the Barnum- Bailey show ventured out this way. It is hardly thought the appear- ance of the advance agents for the two shows arrived here coincident- ally. The dope says the plans of one circus must have been tipped to the other. Unless either changes its route before the proposed dates, there is to be a lot of big top excitement in the Far West. Al G. Barnes, who winter quar- ters on the coast and always starts in this section, is now working toward the Middle West. He will not be back with his show until time to retire for the season, making his quarters coming up the other way. He went east over the northwest. FERRIS WHEEL COLLAPSES During the terrific wind storm Sunday a ferris wheel in the Clason Point Amusement Park, Bronx, New York, collapsed. The cause, whether lightning which struck the girders, the force of the wind or the fault of the owner, Paul Simon, is not known. Seven people were killed and 35 known injured who received medical attention at the park. Some were so seriously hurt that they had to be taken to the hospital. Simon was arrested on a chcirge of homicide upon the order of As- sistant District Attorney Quigley, who questioned several people at the scene of the accident and of the Injured. \About three weeks ago and short- ly after opening, a roller coaster accident occurred at Starlight Park, another Bronx open air amusement place. BILL NYE WITH POLACK W. H. Nye, who has been con- tracting ahead of the Smith's Greater Shows, has jlosed and is now general agent for Irving J. Polack, ahead of Polack Bros. 20 Big Shows. The Polack show opened the season in New Jersey last month, but moved into other territory owing to unsatisfactory business. Walter L. Main, the old circus owner, is managing the 20 Big while Robert Gloth is in charge of the World-at-Home, another Polack midway organization. STAUCH'S, CONEY, SOLD Announcement of the change of ownership of Louis Stauch's well- known Coney Island resort was made Wednesday by Riegelman & Roaenson, attorneys for the res- taurateur. An unnamed syndicate of capitalists are the purchasers, the price exceeding $500,000. Stauch, who has been in business nearly 45 years, will not vacate until the fall. The purchasers have not announced plans for the future. 10 P. M. FRISCO SHOWS i* San Francisco, June 14. The big events scheduled for the Shrlncrs in convention locally this week is putting a big crimp in the- atre attendance. The rain, however, helped some Tuesday and drove them Indoors after the parade. Wednesday and Thursday the Or- pheum started its shows 10 O'clock nights. IN AND OUT Kenny and ONeil out of the American, New York. Kollison and Williams filled the disappointment. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs Fletcher Billings, June 10, in New York, slaughter Billings is the advertising billboard Agent for the Shubert houses. ANDERSON ESTATE (Continued from page 4) value; promissory note payable on demand, made by Sidney Volk, Sep- tember 17, 1914, amount not given, no value; half interest in co-part- nership of Anderson & Ziegler, the- atrical managers, composed of the decedent and Henry M. Ziegler, no/ value; cash in hanks, $934.50; wear- ing apparel, $60; jewelry, $179.50, and life insurance, $35,481.68. Max C. Anderson, who was well known in theatrical circles, died alter an illness of six weeks from a complication of diseases. He was 54 years old and had been connected with the theatrical business for about 35 years. Anderson's start as a successful showman was made in Cincinnati, where he managed the Fountain theatre, and where he also became first associated with H. M. Ziegler. Anderson was man- aging director for the Shubert-An- derson Co. when that concern took over the Hippodrome, New York. With Ziegler he held an interest in theatres in Dayton, Indianapolis, Columbus and Cincinnati. He also was associated with Kohle & Castle in Chicago. Several years later Anderson disposed of his theatres to the Keith interests and at the time of his death was vice-president of the Western Vaudeville Managers' Association, Chicago, .and was also a director of the United States Lithograph Co. ALBEE'S DECISION (Continued from page 5) forth and defining the relationship and rights of each as partners, and on the other hand this same sug- gestion holds with greater force when the artist is paid by sharing the income of the act. I find that no copartnership was formed or ex- isted between Smith, Dale and Goodwin or Smith, Dale, Goodwin and Kaufman, and that neither Goodwin por Kaufman ever ac- quired any interest in or to the name or title, Avon Comedy Four or the act, 'The School Act.' "It appears to me that Goodwin, while playing in said act, was to receive for his services a salary, an equal sharing with Smith and Dale of the net income of the act. Good- win continued with the act about 15 years, during which time Kauf- man replaced Lester and Coleman, and such personnel continued until some time in December, 1919, when Kaufman was replaced in the act by Dale's brother (whose given name does not appear in the tes- timony) who received a salary of $50 per week and whose railroad fare was undoubtedly paid by the act. . . * it would seem decided- ly unfair and inequitable to hold that after having played with the act for some 15 years on a basis of equal division of the net income of the act, Smith and Dale, without notice, and in the middle of the season changed such sharing rela- tionship with Goodwin. The evi- dence submitted does not support such contention." Mr. Albee finds, however, that be- cause of Dale's brother's replacing Kaufman, Goodwin is entitled to $695. He continues, "I find that Joe Smith is the sole author and com- poser of the 'Hungarian Rhapsody* notwithstanding that Smith divided the royalties and income from the uses of the same, yet there is no evidence that Smith intended that said 'Hungarian Rhapsody' should be or become the joint or copartner- ship property of the members of the act. The division of such income was the free and voluntary act of Joe Smith and should not be con- strued so as to preclude Smith from asserting rights of ownership, and, as no copartnership existed be- tween Smith, Dale, Goodwin or Kaufman, I find that Kaufman has been paid in full for his services up to the time of leaving the act and that he has no claim whatsoever against Smith and Dale, and that neither Goodwin nor Kaufman ever acquired any interest whatsoever in the act called 'Hungarian Rhap- sody.' " Mr. Albee's decision is final and cannot be appealed. CONEY ISLAND NEW ACTS John Craig will appear in a sketch at Keith's, Boston, June 19. Mr. ; Craig is now with the all-star com- pany in "The Riyals" at the Empire, New York. Mary Young (Mrs. Craig) will appear in a two-act turn in the same house July 12. James B. Carson and Irving O'Hay for vaudeville. They are doing the "Taking Out An Automobile Li- cense' scene from one of the past Ziegfeld "Follies" shows. Hall nd O'Brien will present a new act next season by Leon Kim- berly, titled "The Aerial Mail." "Doves," miniature musical pro- duction, written by Will Hough. OBITUARY EDWARD KERR Herbert Thomson, the dramatic author whose card was found on the body of a man killed at the Times Square station of the sub- way, New York, at midnight, June 13, and who was credited with hav- ing been the dead person, identified the body of the victim as that of the old Academy of Music on 14th street, New York. He also had charge of concert tours for Mme. Melba. Leaving the theatrical field, he became the first managing agent of the Wall Street Exchange build- ing, and later became a real estate broker in Brooklyn. IN I OM\<. Ml MO ICY OF MY HUSBAND ALBERT I. McGINNIS DIED MAY 14th. 1922. RESTING WIIFKK LOVE, TRITII AND l'EAC'E KI.U. V Mrs. PHOEBE McGINNIS Edward Kerr, a vaudeville per- former, Wednesday, at the West 30th Street police station. The dead man was at one time a mem- ber of the Electric Quartet, and prior to that had been a member of the Aborn Opera Company. PETER 8. MUNRO Peter Simcoe Munro, 80, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. A. H. Merckling, Kearny, N. J., June 12. The deceased came to this country from York, England, when he was \1 years old and saw servico In the Civil War. He was an author, actor, journalist and teacher, having been a member of the New York Press Club. He was the editor of "The Exponent,"' a Brooklyn society jour- nal, for some time. He is survived by three son« rind two daughters. ELIZABETH PARKINSON Elisabeth Parkinson, 40, lyric so- prano, known to the stage as Par- kina, died of pulmonary tubercu- losis in a sanitarium at Colorado Spring, Col, She sang MusottA in the quartet of "La Bohem,e" at the Coven 1 Garden, London, with Ca- ruso, Melba ami S< - ; I. Born in Southern MiSsi Uri ifl lsv.'. shi studied with Mi la. *■ i, in Kansa city and with Marches) |n Paris WhtTC > 1 < r:;n!< In r <1< but .is- Lafcim at i ru < »| ■• it » <>!.ii<|'i ^: 1 02 AND n ,rv; j MUtPHV . A 1 ■' • . ' ' . I ' , . : ' 1 . hom< .i, i . i . .. ;.. v . . uric 9 \ • .ii.i ng< it- w .i tin manaj i of JOHN KINNEY John Kinney, night clerk at the Manhattan hotel, Syracuse, N. Y., former circus man, and known to hundreds of professionals, espe* cially among burlcsquers, dropped dead shortly after he entered the hotel to go on duty Monday night, June 12. Kinney was 63. and had been in ill health since last winter, when a fall injured his back. HENRY LEONE Henry Leone, 64, veteran actor In musical comedies and operettas. He played eight consecutive seasons with Lillian Russell at the Casino, New York. His most recent ap- pearance was in "Dear Me." He died at his home in Mount Vernon of apoplexy on June 9. HENRY GENNETT Henry Gennett, president of the Starr Piano Co. and the Gennett Corp., phonograph disk manufac- turers died at his home in Rich- mond, Ind., at the age of 69. A wife and son survive. LOUIS DAVIS "Major" Louis Davis, 81. retired circus dwarf, died at his home in Granville, W. Va., June 9. For more than 50 years "Major"' Davis trav- eled with circuses as a side show attraction. He was 37 inches high. Orson Saunders died in Los An- geles April 28. Ape 58. Formerly of Toledo, he was well known on the coast as a musician and in the « ast, having at one time been man- ager of Bryan's comedians. The mother of Marie Lee (Pono- vnn and Lee) died May 10 at her home jo Philadelphia. The rroiher, age 67, of Jos. Mc- ShaiiC (Meghan* and Hathaway) <!:< d June 8 at the Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles. (Continued from page 9) against the cabaret charges this season, a round robin group getting their complaint as far as New York's City Hall because of a 40- cent charge for mineral waters al- leged to be purchased from Green- wich Village. Tom Franklin is still holding down the stage at Morgan's, among the old-time places still keeping its reasonable pre-war prices. Near Morgan's, and still gay with its orchestra of piano and bones, is Paddy Shea's Gilsey House, with big ones with high white cuffs at a nickel a tub, all in the old-time manner, with the exception of what the prohib. law took out of the brews. Dance Halls The Island's dance hall situation has taken on a new phase. Two spots at reverse ends of Surf ave- nue have struck a new vay to get and give action. At an 85c. take for the noisy sex and 65c. for the deadliers. Moose Hall, at the east end, and Danceland, on the site of the old Kaiser Garden, at the west, couples can dance from opening to close without any obligation to buy drinks, and with no extra charges for dances. Luna's ballroom, hold- ing a thousand, offers free dances, but demands a main gate and ex- pects drink buying. The Island's dance bugs favor the gross price buy, for both Danceland and the Moose floor get lots of action. Stauch's floor space Is a favorite Saturday and Sunday dance'play, because of its central position. Here the gate take Is 30c, with drink-buying an expectancy. Pa- trons of the upstairs restaurant beat the gate. The Sparta and the Brooklyn House, two of the old- time Bowery film-drinks-and-dance halls, are getting a fair play of trade on good days, because of the Informality observed in both places by patrons, and waiters, who still preserve something of the old-time spirit of customer-and-waiter camaraderie. Women Cops Watch Dancing The dancing of the Island is po- liced effectively by the women cops, and any infractions of the tacit edicts against cheek-to-cheek or form-to-form terpsichore are now frowned upon. The result of the censorship is a new order of danc- ing generally for the Islai d», with artistry in smooth stepping appar- ently more the aim of the masses of dance hall patrons than the sex thing that used to give Coney a bad name for lascivious dancing In the past. It's the bath house owners who are up in the air most this summer at the Island. The boardwalk con- struction work is a sure cut-in on and cut-off of their trade. Calami- tous prophecy is made all along the line of the cement pillars up and going up that fatal accidents and general maiming will be sure to follow the path of the uprights once the bathing season and the high surf tides set in. Beach building Js going on side by side with the new boardwalk construction. Suction dredges are drawing hundreds of U ns of sand from the outlying deeps and sluic- ing it Inshore at the point of low tide levels. Ninety feet of added' beach Is the calculation of the boardwalk structure prospectus, but pending the completion of the walk bathers will have to dodge the building tractors along the sands and the cement pillars when the tides are high and the seas rough. The only beach men who feel the new walk conditions won't injure or ruin their bathing take prospects this season are those specializing In Indoor hot ablutions, like the Moo- ney spot and the beach owners with places that can't be reached by the builders before the bathing season Is over. Tilyou's Is a spot that will escape the interference, ditto Bavenhall's, now owned by Wm. Avltable, for- mer sand-nnd-shovel seller who be- came a millionaire through thrift and Coney land Investments, and ditto too all beach onts west of these places. Tilyou's indoor pool only asks $1.10 per person now, with extra for suits, towels, etc, The sightseeing 'buses are rais- ing a lusty hullabaloo because Bor- ough President Blegelman Mimmar- lly stopped their car parking at spots that brought them across side- walks where there Is no roadway. The 'bus owners, sunk for Immense sums In costly car equipment, pro- test that the $10,000 up per season paid to. property owners for their parking and ballyhooing site* make their privilege legaj. Riegelman stands pat, however, and by the time the case gets a court hearing the snows will be due. Former Grandeur in Decay Among ths Island's exhibits 0 former grandeur In decay are Hen derson's and Sea Beach Palace. Th< once brilliant Henderson spot now a squalid honeycomb of for th< most part shabby tenantry, a char- acteristic, also, by the way of most of the Island's walks, as the sld< purlieus of the resort are termed The Sea Beach Palace space, one oi the most desirable on the Island for the right show, as Bostock proved, is dragging along with oc. casional fight nights and dances. They admit a $10,000 -loss thus far. The restaurant situation at th« Island remains about as last year The Feltman Brothers, still charg. ing $2.50 for their shore dinners, are getting some of the quality of trade .that made the old Hender- son's popular. Epicures who can more for food quality than their bank rolls go as far as LouU Fischer's Shelburne, at the east of' Seaside park. Lots of unused spaeV this year on the Feltman quarter, mile avenue and shore possessions The Kaiser Gardens may not re. open, but June 17 is listed as th« starting date for a new Feltmai divertissement on the site, admis slon to which is to be by invitatioi only, the invites, of course, to fob low paid-in subscriptions. "Films With Drinks" The fllms-with-drinks pietun halls aren't getting much action this season even on crowded days Their Alms, dating back, some t period's close to fllmdom's GreatT Train Bobbery period, cost leas daily on an average than the wages, of the barkers at their open front Fred KIster, oldtime Islander, I among recent purveyors of this kind/ of recreation to bid the Island fare well. Between necrology pass-out and just plain vamping, the Isla is pretty much clean of the men business and show genius who brought it distinction, the pall l!it including within the past decadi Bostock, Fred Henderson, Georg Tilyou, Fred Thompson, "Skip' Dundy, the original Ezra Jackman, Henry Grashorn, "Doc" MacDou gall, Chas Bradwell, "Doc" Cham bers, Conrad Stubenbord, an others of the old guard. If Luna burns down this seasoi or gets hit by a devastating tor nado, Coney's Are, police and news paper contingents will -<j in dee mourning. For the first time in th history of the resort, it has retail season passes to the Island's free pass standbys. A general nickel drop in the ridi tariffs has helped this traffic. T shore has two pony-ride outfits, onti, In Luna and one on the oldtinnj Jones Walk pony site. Ea charges 15c. a mount, as against t pre-war 10c. take. Kenny Sutherland, scion of t famous Kenny of the McKane e estimates Coney's resident all-ye population now at 100,000, and sa; the voting list scales more th 10,000, and as young Kenny was Coney-annex senator, with majori- ties and everything, he knows. Police as Checkers A common Saturday and SundaJ laugh at the Island Is In the nun ber of children picked up by t police, the list grossing often mo: than 25 per. The grin Is in th picking up by the cops of many the same children with each corr and the discovery that in most these instances the mothers h used Coney's long and ride cM tered and crowded space as a ge eral parking territory, believl that as the cops had picked up ad restored the lost little ones once b* fore, tha method of checking tb< youngsters was safe enough. MARRIAGES Blanche Sweet to Marshall Neilat in Chicago June 8. Addle Carlson, May 18, In I* Angeles, to Harry H. Judson, tl baritone. Mrs. Judson was formerl of the Wynn Sisters. Betty Braun, formerly of t* "Greenwich Village Follies," to T< Healy at Indianapolis, June 6. Bo' were playing In vaudeville at $ Lyric there. Mrs. Healy is of Bra* Syrell and Dreyer. The engagement has been •» nounced of Abe Brin and Marl" Schwartz, who are to be marrH Sunday (June 18) and honeymoj at the Thousand Islands V groom is the assistant to Floyd 1 Scott, Orpheum's publicity direct* His fiancee is the daughter of Dav* Schwartz, prominent Time" *outf news dealer, at 47th street Seventh avenue, and knOJA'H £very vaudeville act that ' played New York.