Variety (Mar 1927)

VARIETY OUTDOORS March 80, 1927 ANIMAL TRAINER SHOT; FELLOW WORKER HELD Los Angeles, March 2$. Oeorge Emerson, 26, animal trainer with the Al G. Barnes Circus and at Universal City Zoo, Ilea seriously ill In the Queen of the Angels hospital as a result of the bullet lodged In his lung Feb. IS In a shooting fray with Scotty Wonderle, another animal trainer. It is still doubtful whether Emerson will live. Meanwhile he is without funds and Wonderle Is free on $2,500 bail. Mrs. Emerson denied a statement made by Wonderle to Judge Charles MacCoy that her husband had forgiven hi SIGN COS. COMBINE Norden Theatrical Sign Co. has combined with the General Outdoor Electric Sign Co., giving the former a total of 22 factories throughout Largest with^Tarasle 1 Granger, la., March 29. Robblns' Bros. Circus, wintering here, will open April 23 in Des Moines, playing a week stand until the show la organized and its rou- tine smoothed out. May 1 the first road date will be played at Bald- win park, Qulncy, 111. Its paper this year heralds it as "The largest oircus in America still presenting • free street parade." Wash. Park Opens June 1 Chicago, March 21. Washington Park race track re- opens June 1. The track la spon- sored by the Washington Park Jockey Club, of which Bob Swelt- ser, county clerk, is president, and Bob Sconecker, of the Arena Ticket Company, secretary-treasurer. The track closed last season with a deficit, paying off the Amer- ican Derby with a bouncing check. A settlement was made later. Bame*' Opening April 4 Lob Angeles, March 2*. Ah G. Barnes Circus will begin Its Los Angeles engagement at Prager Park circus grounds for one week commencing April 4. James J. Jeffries and Tom Shar- key are featured In the billing. Union Favors Carnivals -~, Iowa, March 29. Local Trades and Labor congress is on record as opposed to the adop- tion of an ordinance prohibiting carnival companies from showing GOLIATH PINCHED B'GOSH Newburgh, N. Y, March 21. Officer Van Ness, a member of the Hornell police force, made himself the pride of the village by arresting Captain Gulliver, said to be the largest man In the world. • Some time ago the giant, eight feet, four inches tall, made his ap- pearance in Hornell. The big boy got tangled up In a liquor party and made himself prominent by offering to lick all Van Ness accepted the good by run- Into Gambling Devices Out Davenport, la., March 29. Dice games, punch boards on which candy, baseball tickets or merchandise may be won, and all other games of chance In Daven- port and Scott county must go by April 1. This was the order give i County Attorney John Wler by James Rts- den, chief of the Iowa stete depart- ment of Justice In Des Moines. HO FAIR AT LANSING t Lansing, Mich, March 29. Lansing may not hold the Central Michigan fair this fall. Site and building have been purchased by a group of horse lovers who have or- ganized the Bridle and Saddle Club. LIAR' AND HUM ACTOR' Rankle Marries Widow Los Angeles, March 29. Milt S. Runkle. known as a life- long bachelor, surprised the coast's tent contingent by marrying Mrs. Pearl Waugh, widow of the late outdoor showman, at Brawley, Cal., March 2*. Runkle Is manager of the Abner K. Kline carnival and shows. OBITUARY TINSEL METAL CLOTH FOR DROPS 36 in. wide at 75c a yd. and up A full line of gold and «Uver bro- cades, metal cloth* gold and silver trimmings, rhinestonea, apanglea, tight*, opera hose, etc., ate, for stag* costumes. Samples upon request. J. J. Wyle & Bros., Inc. (Huecraoora to Slegmaa * Well) 18 20 East 27th Street NEW YORK SCENERY and DRAPERIES (Continued from page 1) front page editorials regarding the matter. The situation started when War- wick, together with his two sup- porting members, arrived from Seattle, for three days at the local Orpheum. Warwick presented his sketch, "One of the Finest," which was reported proving popular all along the Orpheum circuit. When the dramatic critic of the paper, Mrs. Myrtle Couche, caught the playlet, on Warwick's opening performance, she did not think much of it. and panned it in her review the next day. Her notice said that "neither the star nor his vehicle al >used much enthusiasm," that "the act Is melo- dramatic and unconvincing," and "that the supporting members of the little company did very me- diocre work." In the same review the critic spoke well of Jack Haley, who, with Flo MacFadden, followed the sketch, explaining that Haley was the real headllner, if popularity Is a cri- terion. This unfavorable wrlteup got to Warwick, after all -the other critics had praised his effort. Warwick ad- dressed the following letter to Mrs. Couche, on the eve of his departure for San Francisco: Mrs. Couche, Dear Madame: I've Just read your charming notice of my sketch and my com- pany. This act has played every large city Included In the Orpheum Circuit and everywhere has been received favorably and has been an acknowledged success. I must come to Portland, though, to be Insulted by some nincompoop hack writer like yourself. What you say of me Is of no consequence, but when you state that the lady and gentlemen supporting me are "very mediocre," I say that you are a liar. Robert Waneick. Paper Printed Letter After receiving this letter from Warwick, the critic turned It over to the editor, who printed . War wick's letter together with a front page smash condemning the dra matic star for taking the action that he had. The editor also did not fall to throw In a few words of the most personal nature In of his employe. The following letter written by Fred Boalt, editor, was published together with Warwick's letter: "I have never seen this actor In person.' On the screen he usually portrays the JWell groomed and chivalrous gentleman. In private life I know he Is not a chivalrous gentleman, although I suppose he is well groomed. He knew the sex of his critic because he addressed her as 'dear madam.' His jealousy for the reputations of 'the lady and ently hypocritical and feigned. "He was simply sore because an unadvertlsed 'dance - and - chatter' act 'stole the show' away from him. "I do not need more evidence than his letter to know that Warwick Is a consummate ass as well as a bum actor!" Critic a Business Womsn Mrs. Couche has been connected with the Portland "News" (Scrlpps- Howard) for the paet four years, and has always been noted for her conservativenesa. Her husband. Charles Couche, Is personal representative for J. J. Parker, local theatre owner, who controls several houses. In conjunc- tion with the North American The- atres, Inc. While Mrs. Couche Is regarded by local theatre men as very strict and business like, with leniency her secondary choice, she Is a very keen business woman. Since becoming a writer on the "News" she has In- creased that paper's theatrical ad- vertising tremendously, and has the reputation of being the only critic on the local four dallies. id-West Circus Openings Chicago, March 29. Opening dates for circusses In the middle west: Sells-Flots, April 16. Coliseum, Chicago; under canvas May J, Peru, Ind. Hagenbeck-Wallace, April 21, An- derson, Ind. John Robinson, April 22, West Baden, Ind. 101 Ranch, April 24, Mar land, Okla. , Robblns Bros. (Buchanan), April 24, Perry, la. Barnum-Rlngllng Circus, Garden, New York, April 14. Floods at Peru Peru. Ind.. March 29. High Hooaier waters threatened the American circus corporation headquarters hers last week. It was necessary to move a rfumber of animals to higher ground because of the overflow of the Wabash and Misslssinewa rivers. Ten elephants were drowned In 1922 and no chi taken this time. $325,000 FLOP (Continued from page 1) in any single production, musical or dramatic. In which latter di- vision "The Ladder" Is. It Is neartng the completion of its sixth month at the Waldorf and the loss is said to be $10,000. JA8. A. BYRNE Jas. A. Byrne, 69, of the famous Byrne Brothers, who gained inter- national note in "Bight Bells," died March 19 at the Cooper Hospital, Camden, N. J. Death followed two weeks' Illness from pneumonia. Two brothers survive, Andrew Byrne, of Norwich, Conn., and John F. Byrne, of Brooklyn N. T. The deceased last appeared in the Philadelphia Sesqul spectacle, "Freedom." Hs was born In Nor- mt My Beleved Wife MRS. E. E. NICKERSON Died March I. lflT RB8T IN PBACM Tour Loving Husband EDWARD E. NICKERSON wich. Conn. His first show travels started with his younger brother, Matthew, deceased, with the Irwin Brothers Circus, as an acrobat. . With "Eight Bells" the Byrne Brothers toured the country for 20 consecutive years, also in Hanlon's "Superba." to both of which the surviving Byrnes still retain all rights. builder, died at his home. 307 Clinton avenue, Brooklyn, N. T. last week. Among the New York houses he built were the Lyric. 44th Street, 29th Street, Carroll and Winter Garden. He was born In Saugertles, N. T. His two sons, William and Howard, will continue the firm of John McKeefrey, Inc. Mrs. Alics F. Steele 49, an elo- cutionist, often heard over radio) station WBZ, died at Springfield, Mass. She leaves a husband, four sons and two daughters. Frank Dsvlin, about 46, stag* carpenter, recently employed at ths Amsterdam theatre. New York, and In past seasons on the road, died March 24 In New York. Devlin came to the New York Theatrical Protective Union No. 1 Under the original contract. Davis was to have the privilege of rewriting the play. That. Is being accomplished now, despite the long lapse since the premiere. Shortly the critics will be asked to re- review the play. The present pace Is around 62,000 gross weekly, prln cipally from cut rate sources. BrocK witnorew Pemberton presented the show until two weeks ago, when he requested Davis to accept his resignation as general manager of the project. Pemberton is an old friend of Davis', as Is J. Frank Davis who wrote "The Ladder." It was with the idea of aiding them that he suggested the play's pro- duction. He had cleaned up a for- tune in Texas oil and as In former stages of his career he started spending, and plenty. Pemberton withdrew because ac- quaintances on Broadway were Joshing nim about "taking" Davis. Friendship drew them together In the presentation and friendship separated them in business as far as the show la concerned. Several times since the show opened Davis asked how long It should be con- tinued, Pemberton answering it was cold and should be taken off. Each time Davis has came back with: "Well, guess we'll continue It another 10 weeks." Davis Gives Freely Davis sold out his oil Interests In Texas for $12,000,000 about two years ago. Since then he has given away half his fortune, it is said. His home town la Campello, Mass., shoe manufacturing center, where he was successful in that business. With his health broken he took a trip around the world during which he conceived the Idea that led to his first fortune.- The plan was to establish rubber plantations In- stead of having natives bring In the raw product from the Jungles. The romance of Davis' career, from accounts, started with his as- sociation with the U. S. Rubber Company, manufacturers of tires. Plantations were established In Sumatra. It was not long before he left the company a millionaire. Shortly thereafter he was in- duced to loan $76,000 in a wildcat oil prospect In Texas. It flivvered but with Yankee perseverance, Davis decided to get that money back from Texas. He went broke doing It, selling his motor cars and even his furniture in New York. Engaging a geologist, property that promised oil was found. Davis had borrowed money from some of the men who were in on deal but he MRS HARRY VAN HOVEN (Nora Hustsr) The wife of Harry Van Hoven, publicity director of the Whttehurst Theatres, Baltimore, died at Eudo- wood Sanitarium, near that city, March 27, following a long illness. Mrs. Van Hoven was a victim of tuberculosis. Mr. Van Hoven was at his wife's bedside "When she passed away. In his pocket was a telegram Informing him of the seri- ous illness of his aged mother In Chicago. Returning to the city Sunday evening Mr. Van Hoven found another wire telling of his mother's death. Mrs. Harry Van Hoven was buried In Baltimore Tuesday, the husband leaving im- mediately afterwards for Chicago. Mrs. Katherlne Splane, Mr. Van Hoven's mother, leaves another son, Frank Van Hoven, vaudeville actor, playing Detroit at the time of his mother's death. He left for Chicago Sunday to Join his brother and ac- company their mother's body to Sioux City for Interment. Mrs. Harry Van Hoven profes- sionally known as Nora Huster. was a vaudeville and dramatic prior to her marriage. IN MEMORY of My Dear who passed away March 27th, 1927 FRANK VAN EOVEK HARRY GLAZIER Harry Glazier, 29, stock actor, died March 22 at his- home 206 West Windsor Road, Glendale, Cal., of acute indigestion. Physicians worked for an hour in an effort to save Glazier's llfs but failed. Glazier was a son of the late from Lowell, Mass., transferrin* from the. Lowell local. Mrs. Clara (Dot) Adair, 66, wife of Art Adair, circus clown and comedian, died In Los Angeles March 20. Burial la Chicago March 29. Dad Carmen, 72. gateman at ths Charlie Chaplin studio, Hollywood, for the past 12 years, died March 28 at the General Hospital, Los An- geles. Funeral will be held March 29, the body to be interred In Salt Lake City. Funsrsl services for Marty Ford were conducted at the Rlversida Memorial Chapel, March 26. De- ceased died in Australia Feb. 19, where he was appearing In "Abie's Irish Rose," the remains being brought back to New York, his home. Ths mother of Sammy Steppe died in Pittsburgh, March 2». RIVERSIDE MEMORIAL CHAPEL 76th St. and Ave. New York'. BL ENDICOTT 6600 Out of Town Funeral. ~ World-wide Harry Glazier formerly a of the old Burbank stock. Frank McCarthy, 45, for 25 years a musician with Broadway and road musical comedies, died re- cently In the Mayo Institute, Rochester, N. Y. He was with the road "Rose-Marie" when forced to stop work by stomach trouble. Mr. McCarthy leaves a wife and two children In Cleveland, where he made his home. Funeral services were held there by the Elks. John McKeefrey, general eon- tractor and New York theatre DEATHS ABROAD Paris, March 20. Paul Harel, T6, French poet, died at Echauffour, Normandy, where he kept a small country Inn. Daniel Berth elot, well-known French physician and author. Llane Revanche (Mme. Henri Hass), French authoress. Seraflno Renzt, Italian actor, died at Belllnzona. Paulln Marchand, professor at the Belgian Conservatory of Music, Brussels. Georges Docquols, 64, French poet-playwright, following an oper< atlon. when the first well gushed. An eight-mile tract was developed known as the Lullng Field with something like 200 derricks work- ing. This land he sold to the Mag- nolia company, subsidiary to Standard Oil. Donations In Millions That done Davis started spend- ing again. He gave $1,000,000 to ths State of Texas to develop farming and another million to Massachusetts for a poor children foundation. In the gopher town of Luling he built two country clubs, one for the white people and the other for the blacks. And hs did not forget Campello, where he built a swimming pool among other the Wal Davis Is dort theatre $4,600 weekly. Hs could have bettered the terms sev- eral times since moving there but has refused to do so. The same sum was guaranteed the Mansfield for the first month and "Ths Ladder" might have still been there but for the theatre figuring better profits with another attrac- tion; Davis believes hs was placed on earth to do good, which may ex- plain his lavish disbursement of money. He also has a hobby. It is reincarnation, the theme of "Ths Ladder." When the show left tho Mansfield, Davis secured the names of every one connected with ths house and even the cop on the corner, distributing $20 gold pieces to