Variety (July 1923)

? '■!■. , \ ^ *^ *'''^ '.'i .«»;• *• r' ■hj.tv ^ *JBr £ —: ^vsr^P^ a I' - VAUDEVILLE ;■■■'*■' ■ ■",• '. ,' ■ .'■• ■■■I-".-' . ,*i«_ 'i^fHi^fffK ■■n«iF>iiiaw-^i.B'j«'i ! ivpt' t<. -> -T«'A' Thuriday. July 19. 1923 1 KELMER, OF KEITH'S PROSPECT, ilNS AGAIN IN MGRS.' CONTEST SUge ''Boost Week"—Got $250—Fortheringham, of Franklin, Second—McDonald, Broadway, Third in Managers'Competition Contest* The second annual ManaRers' Competition Contest, for managers of theatre* In Greater New York, AffiHated with the Keith and Moss houses, was won by Leon Kelmer, manager of Keith's Prospect. Brooklyn. Kelmer received |250. He also won in the first of these contests held last year, when he was at the Oreenpolnt Becond, fl&O, Is awarded to Jamea P. Forthering- ham. of Moss* Franklyn, and Charles McDonald, manager of Moss' Broadway, secured the thlj^, $100. The contest was held during the week of June 18. The judges consisted of J. J. Haloney, B. 8. Moss, Reid A]b«e, I. R. Samuels, Harry Gittleson, Jack Maloney and Myron Robinson, who based their decision on the novelty of the idea presented by each mana- ger, exploitation methods, amount of business on week, and the ex- pense of each special attraction. Kelmer featured a "Boost South Brooklyln Week." He produced a bathing girl revue, staging the en- tire show unassisted. Two profes- sional acts were used in each half of the week, the first being Haw- thorne and Cook and the other Healy and Cross. A B. R. T. trolley car was used In the revue, Kelmer buying one eepeclally for the show. He also secured the co-operation of the South Brooklyn Board of Trade In attracting patrons to the bouse. Fortherlngham's attraction was also a bathing girl revue, mainly a fashion parade Interspersed with several specialties. At the Broadway, McDonald em- ployed various novelties for every- day In the week, which he billed as "Boost Business Week." • Other bouses contesting included the Riverside, 8l8t Street. Fordham, Orpheum. Buahwick, Grocnpoint, Hamiliton, Jefferson, Coliseum and Regent ASS'N'S COAST TOUR WILL OMIT.CALIFORNIA Bray Calls Meeting at Denver —12 to 14 Weeks Thus Gained Chicago. July IS. The coast tour of the Western Vaudeville Managers' Association next year will not Include California, but will go through the northern country to the northwest comer of the United States antMben back by way of Salt Lake City and Denver, through Kansas and Missouri. Joe Erber, who, has had the or- ganization of the* St. Louis branch of the association in charge, is lin- ing up Nebraska, Kansas and Mis- souri dates; Harry Fetterer is lin- ing up the Dakotas, Montana. Wash- ington. Idaho. Utah and Colorado. C. E. Bray, general manager of the association and the /unior Or- pheum Circuit, has called a meet- ing of managers to be held in Den- ver the latter part of July, when a unified tour of 12 to 14 weeks will be completed. Theatre managers out that way are welcoming the association into that territory with open arms and look forward to a great Improve- ment In the character of acts obtain- able for less Important cities. BIRTHS Mr and Mrs Nat Lewis, at the New York Nursery and Child's Hospital, daughter. Mr. Lewis is the theatrical outfitter. f( CLIPPER'S' Advertising^ Rates ^ "Clipper** announces its temporary advertising rates under its policy of Outdoor Amusements.' ■* *" < For 60 days from July 21, 1923, "Clipper" wiU charge a flat rate of $125 per page for any class of busin ness. The rate for one-fifth page is $3Q; quarter page, $35; half page, $65. Rate per line, 20c. The size of the present page of "Clipper*^ is 75 inches, 1,050 lines. During the 60 days these rates are in effect contracts will be accepted under them for one year, with time rates within that period to be accord- ingly adjusted, based on the $125 page or 20c line rate. Following the expiration of the 60 days, "Clipper" may issue a classified rate card, giving notice herewith the flat rate of $125 per page and the other rates herewith quoted are but temporary, owing to the change of policy and form of the "Clipper' J. J. rJAKE") ROSENTHAL Funeral services for J. J. Rosen- thai, famous showman, were held Monday morning from Hollywood Chapel, under the allspices of the Masons. Rosenthal died with .shocking suddenness at St. Vin- cent's hospital, where physicians had pronounced him sufllciently re- covered from the attack of diabetes which seized him at Toledo to leave the hospital within a few daya The first hint of the disease came when a boil on his neck was Janced. He was en route for the coast with his wife (Kathryn Osterman) and his son, Jack, on a vacation trip that started in Boston. 'He weathered the remainder of the Journey and here was advised to take treatment at the hospital.^ The allmfnt was not regarded as^ Immediately seri- ous. He was, however, seized witb ^ IN MEMORY OF LEO R. BRILLES Who Passed on July 14th. 1023. Whose Friendship, Counsel and Advice I Will Always Remember uid Cherish. JOE LAURIE, JR. paroxysms and passed uway while the physicians stood helpless at the unexpected turn. The remains were placed In a vault here and will be removed later to Toledo*[or final in- terment. The pallbearers were Harry Bailey, Lee Brown, William Robey, Guy Price, Lee Kind and Pat Campbell. Jake Rosenthal was one of the best known and most pl%foundIy ad- mired managers and agents in the entice field of amusements. A vet- eran of some of the mo.st brilliant' theatrical campaigns in the history IN MKMORIAM FLORENCE ARNOLD (Ainold and Florence) Who paased away July 10th, 1*23 May ahe rest In peace MAX ARNOLa of the curi»ent half century, he was known and recognized by every per- son of consequence in the entire In- dustry, and left behind him a record of 'Stellar achievements scarcely paralleled In his tiipe. Rosenthal was an aggressive, tire- less worker who fought his way up from an as^stant billposter to some of the most important posts in the profession. He first made his mark as an agent and then as general manager for Broadhurst Brothers during the old Bijou theatre regime, when he handled such ri)ectacular successes as "Why Smith Left Home" and such stars as May Ir- win. Prior to that he had been as- sociated with Jake Tannenbaum and I wish to thank all my friends, the N. V. A. and .L A. It. for their kind mta- ■asea of vympathy In my ■ad bereavement. MAX ARNOLD Klaw A Erlanger, and In the old days of broadcast billing was re- garded as the foremust expert in that style of exploitation. In his later years he became na- tionally known when he was mana- ger of the Bronx opera house, whlrh he managed for Cohan & Harris ac- cording to Ideas of his own. He then went to Chicago as the man- ager of the new Woods theatre and there handled the Chicago end of the Equity strike as the appointed representative of the theatre and at- traction Interests. He was also the managers' representative * on the first arbitration board following adoption of the Equity contracts. Since then Jake was with several Woods attractions, then going with George M. Cohan and handling 'The Tavern," "Mary" and "The O'Brien Girl." He then Interested himself In "Molly Darling," in which his son, Jack, ,the apple of his eye, was ap- pearing. When Jack withdrew he loat interest and returned to his fa- mous style of agenting with the Boston company of "The Bat," with which be made so brilliantly good that Wagenhals & Kemper but re- cently announced that they had awarded blm a handsome money OBITUARY, premium for 'his extraordinary en- deavors. Perhaps bis 6est remembered en- gagement was as the manager of the several Julian Eltlnge shows for Woods, the publicity on which at- ».» 'W IN MKMORV of a real friend ^ J. J. ROSENTHAL .- v> who died July It, 1933 JOHN CARNEY \V.ililron'a Casino, Boston tracted pronounced notice. It was during that venture that RoMsenthal "squared" the long feud between the Hearst papers and the K. ft E. theatres in Chicago by advertising the show without mentioning the theatre (Illinois) and assuqnlng the full cost of the ads. This broke tlie ice and I^]ltinge drew sensational notices whereas no "syndicate" house or show ha<^been reviewed In the "American" or "Examiner" in years. His entire career was replete with such Incidents, J^ke contriving and carrying out what others regarded as impossible. The nation-wide attention at- tracted to his son. Jack Osterman, is typical of bis methods. Before the lad had played half a dozen towns on the small time, all the big towns wore ringing with his prospectaj and Osterman was easily the most heav- ily promoted a6t in vaudeville before he was 20. Mrs, Rosenthal (Miss Osterman^ was formerly a vaudeville headliner, appearing last in "A Persian Gar- IX FOND rrme:«jbii.\nce OK MY WIFE KIHY FRANCIS Who Paa.«jcd on July 10th, 1922 RUBE WELCH den," and retiring to devote herself to her husband and son. Rosenthal was past 60, born in Ohio. He ran away from home to go with a fly-by-night circus, as so many others who have made lasting fame in theatricals had and slnc^ have done, and became probably the highest paid and most sought-after agent on Broadway. He made for- tunes for others, but did not have the faculty of piling up great wealth for himself, thcmgh he died in pros- perous circumstances and had never been known to be otherwise. J. J. Rosenthal was a man pos- sessed of great Innate pride, was courageously outspoken, made many IX BIEMORT of our beloved Aunt KITTY FRANCIS WELCH who pa^iied awny July 19th, 1922 KATHERINE BYRON MAE COYLE warm friends and many powerful enemies, and will be remembered as a showman In everything that the best in that word Implies. LEO R. BRILLES f*eo-R. Brilles, a member of the legal firm of House, Grosman & Vorhaus, died suddenly early on July 14, at the Marie Antoinette hotel, New York, from an attack of acute Indigestion. The deceased was 49 years of age and a native of Wheel- ing, W. Va., where the Ihterment took place on Tuesday. Mr. Brilles can^ to New York about 20 years ago and In a short time associated himself with the firm of House, Grosman & Vorhaus, achieving a partnership In due time. His specialty was the handling of divorce actions and in that pai'tlcu- lar phase of legal affairs he enrn*^«l a most enviable reputation for him- self. Funeral services were held on Monday afternoon in New York at which several hundred pergonal friends representing both the bar and the stage w^re present. A dele- gation of the Friars' Club, of which the attorney was a member, and the Centennial Lodge of F. & A. M., of which David Vorhaus is the ma.ster, had charge of the Masonic services, with Louis J. Vorhaus pronouncing the eulogy, while William Grosman conducted the service, and the prayer was rcoilrd by Judge Moses H. Gro.sman, all three business part- nor.9 of the late attorney. A brother and two sisters survive. MAISIFI ARNOLD Maisie Arnold (Mrs. Florence) of Arnold and FlorcncCi aged 26, dirMl July 10 at the .Seton Hospital. New York. Some t,wo months ago while the teana were playing tbe'Pantage^ Circuit, It became apparent that tbt arrival of a little itranger could r^g long ^be delayed, so the couple came 'to New York. While bulldog up for the ap« proaching ordeal at a sanitarium on Long Island, premature symptoms appeared and Mrs. Florence w%a rushed to the MIserlcordia Hospl* tal. where a Ceaaarean operation was at once performed. The child was so tiny doctors did not elpect it to live, but it was placed In the Incubator, j^icked up and Is now normaL The mother after a couple of weeks, was taken home, but did not respond to treatment. Her con- dition became so alarming the phy- sician ordered her to the Seton Hospital. Arnold and Florence were bo members of the New York bran of the German Artlsten Loge, af^^ at the burial In Kensico Cemetert; July 13, almost the full New Yofi membership was In attendance Mi well, as many members of the N; T, A. . f V JOHN NOLAN John Nolan, 48 years old, '4 brother-in-law of both George ti^ Cohan and Sam H. Harris, died at the Polyclinic Hospital on TucsdaAlj July 17, after an attack of ga$v^| stones, which developed Into perl^jj tonitis. For the pkst few years l|f^-^ had been business manager of tbi Sam H. Harris theatre, and for II years had been afflliated wUIr Cohan and Harris in their enter- prises. Prior to entering theatricals he was assistant postnuister of Bos^ ton. Nolan was the eldest of tb% "Seventeen Nolans," of which twi are now living, four sisters airti .six brothers. Three of the sistexlri are Mrs. George M. Cohan. Me«-| Sam H. Harris and Mrs. Frank H^% Otto. The other sister, whose I maiden name was Gertrude Nolan, '^ is married to a banker in British Columbia. The remains were shipped to B< ton, rvhere the funeral is to be h« today (Thursday). "' LUCILLE CLAYTON Lucille Clayton (Mrs. A. R. Aft dlson), formerly Mrs. Emil "Jaxf* Casper and sister pf Lulu Moore .> (Eastman and Moore), died June 19 In Birmingham, Ala, from ether poisoning following an operation. Burial was In St. Louis, Ma., tht. family honle. 'rSm % ROBT. CROZIER SCOTT Robt. Crozier ScoU In 111 health for some time, committed suicide July 4, following the serving of divorce papers by his wife. Scott was 45 years old, a well-known au« thor and s<jenario writer. MRS. HARRY FRANCES Mrs. Harry Frances, of Young and Frances in vaudeville, died July II in Chicago of tubcrculo.sis. The deceased wa»^ 34, with her proper name Mrs. Harry Earnest. The father of Harry Santley dle4 In Chicago, July 10, at the age Of 56. Harry Santley is an Independ- ent vaudeville agent, lately con- nected with the defunct Arthu* Horowitz office. The brother of Feggy Collins, treasurer of the Bootl^, New York, died July 11, suddenly, of heart failure. The mother of Stanley Prloe^ stock leading man, died at her hoiQ# In St., Joseph, Mo. The mother of Maurice Barrett^ 920 Riverside drive, New York, dic4 last week. The mother of James H. (Jim) Harrington died July 14. i "COPY" ACT STOPPED Bann and Mallen, the Savoy snfl Brennan "9opy act," were given no further time by th3 Loew circuit i following their engagement at Loew's State the first half of last week, after eliminating all of the material alleged to bo an Infringe- , mcnt on the Savoy and Brennan routine. THOUSANDS OF STREET DANCES Paris, July 18. The extreme heat doesn't prevent', thousands of people from dancing !• the streets at the free public balli now being in France. ..' ^ GEOHGIE O'RAMEY ENGAGED London, July H- • A report from Paris says (loorgl* O'Uamey, American^ Is engot'e<l ^ a wealthy Frertchman. >•