Page 6

THE SHOW WORLD
April4, 1908
York Theatrical Managers                            Is Agog at Tremendous Strides
Notice MotionViews and New    I                       Made by Industry-Latest
Producers Ask Congress to
oegislate on Subject.
EW   YORK, March 28.-A delegation of
theatrical managers, headed by Daniel
Frohman, went to Washington       this
week to urge the committee in Congress
having charge of the Kittridge copyright
bill to incorporate in that measure a clause
that will protect the author and producer
of plays against the encroachments of the
motion picture man and the maker of phon-
ograph records. In expressing his views on
tlge subject, Mr. Frolinlan says:
"Movi ng pictures of stage pe rfortoances
have be en perfected to Such a degree that
they really haoveadefinite educatiooal value
This v alue willI be greatly increased by
their  combination  with  the  phonograptt
whirh records the dialogue and tile voices
of the actors.   The danger which some
managers scented in tloe case of the cheap
stock companies and the continuous per-
formances a few years ago had the actual
result of increasing the audiences in the
higher-priced attractions.  Mechanical de-
vices will never quite satisfactorily repro-
duce dramatic art, but they may lead to a
wider appreciation of the art of acting
plays, and certainly to a more definite
knowledge of the stage of a preceding gen-
eration."
While realizing the probable educational
value of the motion picture in relation to
dramatic art and the ultimate good that
will or may ultimately accrue to theatrical
managers thereby, Mr. Frohman is more
concerned for present conditions when he
says.  "We have arrived at a point when
theatrical managers must make a vigorous
effort to protect themselves against ao eta-
tirely new  and quite unexpected element
which has entered their business. Few peo-
ple realize how great a part the representa-
tion of dramas in mortion by the camera
has taken   in  public entertainment, hose
enormously it has    been   developed  and
what wonderful possibilities lie in its fu-
ture."
Managers Are Taking Notice.
While the development of the motion pic-
ture and the synchronizing therewith of
the mechanically produced voices of the
persons shown in tie picture has been re-
markable, the failure of theatrical managers
to appreciate the possibilities of this cotml-
bination and the importance it loas in the
general plan of amusements is equally re-
mnarkable. It has been the favorite pas-
time of theatrical managers to pooh-pooh
at the motion picture show and predict its
early demise; but the motion picture meo
have gone quietly about their work of Per-
fecting devices until now the actor and his
voice are being   reproduced  mechantically
wtitho startling accuracy in tone and action.
One firm  of producing managers, oereto-
fore engaged in putting out theatrical at-
tractions, has turned its attention to the
talking pictures and now   has three ma-
chines on the road playing to better re-
ceipts than  formerly  obtained  by   their
companies of live performers. TWere more
machines available at this time more of
them would now be on0 the road. It is only
a matter of time when more will be put
out as the manufacturing company expects
to be able to deliver 100 complete taling
picture machines within three months . Un-
questionably these machines will displace
many regular theatrical organizations.
Public Wants Moving Picture Plays.
No matter what the managers may ac-
complish in their efforts to prevent present
dramtatic successes beitg utilized by tte
moltionO picture mlen their efforts wviii have
little, if any, deterrent effect as the pic-
ture manl already employs many competent
actors and actresses and many authors are
writing for them. Plays are rehearsed ad
produced before the eye of the catmoera its
Iuco the same m    oanner that tho are pro-
duced before the eye of floe public witho
thec difference that moore actioon is denoand-
ed and the period of duration must be
shorter for the moving picture than for the
regular dramatic production.   The public
likes and will patronize this form of amuse-
ment and no effort on the part of the
theatrical manager will suffice to perma-
nently stifle it.
The theatrical manager is absolutely right
in his endeavor to protect his plays against
unwarranted reproduction, but while ie is
doing this it would also be wise for him
to take advantage of such oportunities as
the talking  picture  proposition  presents.
The Keith & Proctor vaudeville interests,
probably closer related to moving pictures
than the legitimate promoters, have taken
this view of the situation and have formed
an extensive circuit of moving picture houses
exclusive of two of their most popular
New York houses in which pictures are now
being  shown.   While these houses have
brought the picture show to thousands who
would not patronize the more humble "store
show," there are still thousands who will
wait until houses of the higher class are
opened to the motion picture.
Local Picture Men Confer.
A meetioog of local moving picture ealoibl-
toes was held at fle roos of tle Bat
AssociationO 000 Wont F"ortietho street Maci
21, to  consider legislation  affecting  floe
business which has been offered it tioe state
legislature at Albatoy. The Moving Picture
Association of Greater' Newy Yorke was rob-
resented by Thtomas Gliteran, J. Austins
Fynes, chairman of the legislative conit-
tee, Daniel F. Donegan, secretary, mood Timl-
othy F. Driscoll, treasurer of the associa-
tion.
Important educational interests were rep-
resented by Me. M. Davis, Jr., secretary of
the Peole's Institute Caos. Ayers. attorney
for fhe Institute; John Collier, investigator
of the commlnitteel Mrs. Josephline Bedding,
secretary of the Woman's Municipal League;
Frank Persons, assistant manager of the
Charity Organization Society of NewYork;
Miss Henrietta Rodman, principal of Wad-
leigh High School; Miss Alice Lewisolhn,
representing the Henry street settlement;
Mrs. F. R. Swift, also of the public schools,
and l. H. Cardoza.
-Regarding the educational value of mov-
ing pictures, Mir. Collier said: "The Peo-
ple's Institute, the Board of Education and
indeed all similar organizations, are in fa-
vor of moloving pictures. We believe them
to be a granod factor in the educational sys-
tent of our young.   Ve wish them   to be
regulated, it is true, but we do not pro-
pose to suboomit thtem to unjust atod meacn-
ose ent munoicipal lawvs. We ourselves util-
ize the msoving picture entertainmoent for
the delightf of our poor cfhildreno and we
have never yet had cause to regret our
action."
J. Austin Fynes expressed the belief that
the best moral and philanthropic influences
of this city firmly believe in motion pic-
tures when properly presented and safe-
guarded by the law, and that a proper and
equitable measure would be passed at Al-
bany.
Plays Holding Their Own.
No change of consequence has occurred
in the rankes of the several metropolitan
successes during the past week.    All re-
port  unusual   business.  The   delightful
weather which prevails is strengthening the
attendance to the point that breaks records
and brings out the S. R. 0. sig.,
But few   changes are in sight.   Victor
Mdoore and The Talk of New York will go
o0 the road after April 18 and make wvay
at tle Knickerbocker for George M. Cohan's
toeow show, The Yankee Prince, which arrives
April 20, and in which the four Colhans will
be featured for the first time in several
years.
Kolb and Dill leave the Circle theater
April 14 and will be followed by Gus Ed-
wards' new musical play.
Richard Carle's Mary's Lamb is scheduled
to follow The Soul Kiss at the New York
theater late it May.
New Plays This Week.
The now   plays which   mlade their first
appoarance on Broadway this week      woee
Girls, by Clyde Fitch, at Daly's, and Tihe
Servant of tle House by Charles Raonn Ken-
nody, presented by Henry Miller's Associat-
ed Players at the Savoy theater.
Girls proved to be a delightful farce,
which, though but a light and airy trille,
was very amusing. While the author ack-
nowledges indebtedness to a play by Hugo
Holtz It is full of daintiness and seems
assured of a long run. it tells the story of
three bachelor noaidens, who living in a
studio, have sworn that they will ever re-
main it a state of single blessedness. They
all have to make their own livings and Oni
hite first act they twitter and talk of the
vanity and uselessness of man and are all
convinced thlat he ideal mano doe; not ex-
ist.  Then while they are diseobing and
getting ready for the night they are dis-
turbed by a moan rushing into their room,
1ie havitfg been pursued by ar irate hus-
band. He gets a tongue lashing from    one
of the three and thetn is compelled to make
11is escape frot the room   by wauoy of a
window.  Tihe rest of the story is self-
evident although neatly worked out. One
of the girls falls it love with the manl and
te other two girls also find their afHlnities
and rush   headlong into matrimony that
they had raved so about.    The play was
delicioucly aced by a clever comdpany. Tire
roseL is as followrs: Pamsela Gordaon, Laura
Nelson Hall; Violet Lansdowne, Ruth Mlay-
clteie; Kate West, Amty Rcard; Lucille n'ur-
tinle /e1dm Seals; Mrfs, Dennette, Faolcholl
Campbell; Edgar W. Holt, Charles Cherry;
George H. Sprague, Herbert Standing; Fraoh
Loot, Leslie  Kenyon; Augustus    Dennett,
John S. Marble; the Janitor, Frederick Es-
toelton; the Postman, Harry MlacFadden;
Mos-enger o, Edwoard Morrissey.
Servant in the House.
The Servant in ftle House, by Charles
Ran0n Kennedy, is a play of the present day
in tive acts. Every nOewspaper in the city
praised the novelty of the theme and spoke
of the sincere and unmoistakable evidences
of enthusiasm shown by the audience on tire
first presentation of this play onl Monday
afternoon. March  23.   The play had been
heralded as a surprise, but few looked for
the central character to be a representation
of the reincarnated Son of Mlan. The story
of the play is as follows: There are three
brothers, one  a   successful East Indian
Bishop, another a rising vicar lin a0 Eng-
lish parish, and the third a drunkard who
for years has been an outcast. The East
Indian Bishop is ono a visit to his brother
and at that time the Church presided over
by thre vicar needs purifying and rebuild-
ing. 'This fact awakens the vicar to his
son shortcomings and he sees that he is
like the building in which he preaches-
very much in need of change and purifica-
tion.
A new butler, who has been insfalled in
the house, ar East Indian, eventually at-
tunes the discordant notes in the household
cd       ten it is foud hat fe dra so,
welo coes to locate the hoeeid odors thoa
hoave caused the church to be deserted, e
really tle brosoer of he tvo cieegylero  it
is he, riet- the gBiloiess a  ad smvepdoess of
the    llorier toe is supposed to retreseo
float teaches fore story of true religion. But
lisme of the strength of the story rans h
told ere as it is really oe of te Tot
pbowverful sermlons on chaurch hyprocrisy that
loan ever beets preached. The cast wvas as~
followos: Jamoes Pansonby lealeesloyfte, D.D.,
Ar-flur  Lewois;  the  Rev'erernd  WihliaMaoo
Smtoohle, Choarles Dalton; Auntie, Allss Editho
Wgooee Mlasloisaon; Mary, Meiss fotabel Mooorel
Robert Smolih, Tyrone Poswer, Rogers, Gal-
wvey Herbert; Matoson, Waiter Hlanoden,
W~here the Bills Change Weekly.
Thse folloswing wvere the bills at the rom-
bionation houses far ttse woeek of learch 23:
Arsoerlean, Broadwvay After Darke; Blaney's
inocohrn Square, Edna Meay Spootner in The
Good Bills Make Lively Week
At Gotham Theaters.
1\fasqueraders; Dewey theater, The Round-
ers; Gotham   theater, Washington Society
Girls; Grand Opera house, Caught in the
Hain;l Hurtig & Seanion's Music Hall, Col-
lege Boys; Murray Hill, Gay Morning Glor-
ies; Metropolis, From Sing Sing to Liberty;
New Star, Pan Handle Pete; Thalia theater,
Deadwood Dick's Last Shot; West End the-
ator, Just Out of College, and Yorkville,
Tie Big Stick.
The Week's Bills in Vaudeville.
Ailtaoolota osopis Hart's Futurity Win-
toon, "iliramt Poole asod Malude F-ultaon, Ba s-
ic Lloyd, Boot Leslie io Hhogano'o Visit,
Sheauo and warreno in Quo Vadis Upsite
Dovno, the Kitamura Japanese Troupe, Weynn
and Lewis, Asra, the billiard ball moanipu-
-later.
Colonial theater.-Cecelia Loftus, Richard
Golden tin A Case of Divorce, Jack Nor-
worth, Pagan  and   Byroon, Lala Selbint,
May0inlte emington and her Pickis, the Far-
relt-faglor Trio, Griff Baothers
Keits & Iroctor's _oifth Avenue theater.-
Gouald and Surratt, Girtoude Hloffman, Woo.
Courtligh in Peaches, Clareince  tibur &
Co., our Casting Dutbals, Reiff Brothers,
F'riend and Downing, Hiathaway's monkteys.
Keith & Proctr's 125th Street theater.-
Trixie Frigalnza, Eugene Jepson & Col in
The Mayor and the Manicaun, Karno Troupe
in A  1,1ght in the Slums, Albert Vhelan,
Alay Warde and her Dresden Dolls, tse
Ushers in Fagil's Decision, Mlidgely and
Carlisle, the Bowers.
Keith &    Proctor's  Fifty-eighth  Street
theater-Emtta  Carus, Byrne    Brothers,
Hill and Sylvany, MAathers and Aslhley, Em-
rota Francis, Scarl and Violet Alen, That
Quartette, Arthur Dunn & Co.
Hamnmerstein's  Victoria  theater.-Harry
Von Tilzer, Eddie Leonard, Elinore Sisters,
Paradise Alley, Mason-Keeler Co., Minnie
Kauttinan, Chinko, The Operator and rise
Gainsboro Girl.
Tony Pastor's theater.-Apollo Quartette,
May Fermier and Will Marion, Billy Gas-
toss and Ethel Green, frank 1Vhitmant, Go-
forth and Doyle, Sam Stern, John antd May
Burke and William H. Chase and company.
Tony Pastor song o0   March 23, tie fifty-
third anniversary of his management.
' Queen's County Fair.
A county fair it New York City cannot
fail to be a novelty and a big winnoer. The
hueen's County Fair is more nearly in New
York City than anything of the sort ever
11eld in these parts and it gives every proi-
ise of being a great success. The grounds
are in Astoria, just across East River from
Mranhattan and within easy reach.
Every effort is being made to secure big
attractive features and many shows of the
hiiglest class have already been booked.
U1ndoubtedly the biggest feature will be
the airship races. F"or this event entries
1have been made already by Capt. Thomas
Baldw in and Charles J. Strobel. Word is
oxpected daily from Roy Knabenschue slg-
oifying his intention to compete. Mr. Stro-
del has entered three airships which will be
operated by Lincoln Beachey, Jack Dallas
and Eugene Gaudet.     The course will' be
fronm the fair grounds around the Times
building and return. The Aero Club have
signified a  willingness to supervise this
event. General Director George W. Tomasso
reports a flood of applications for space.
Mr. Tomasso has other extensive plans for
the season to follow   the Queens Count>
Fair, including a big carnival at Ossining
a'd a certennial at Lewiston, Maine.s sil-
liohts Parkeer, formoerly of fle Parkeer shosov,
loas joined him as general agent.
With the Big Show.
Urnless all sings fail the present engage-
neent of Barnumo & Bailey's circus at MaI-
son Square Garden will be a record break-
r,   'iti ee exceptione of last fonday
wvheno raios interferedl, floe attendance  has
been great.  Toe press staff, consisting 0
Dexter Fellos, fay Ifial, Frankl J. O'Doos-
nell and Thomas Namack, under the direc-
tion of Alf. T. Ringling, has been landing
some fine stories in the New York papers
with good results.
One of the features of the program     i
fle nband concert just prior to eachF pet
forroanco by the big banod ted by Fred-
orick Alton Jewell. The overture number
include many of the finest band conoposi
tions extant and the rendition is satisfying
to the most critical,
Fihn Canera Corrects Error.
Gaston Melies, the moving picture man
tells an interesting story in connection withf
the big feature Autos That Pass in the Air
Maurice Garanger, the inventor, is a friend
and countryman of Mor. Moelies. When thes
.device was first tried at Bridgeport the car
which makes the somersault fell squarely
on top of the second car.     To correct the
error Mr. Melies was called in to make a
picture of the device in operation. From
the developed film  thrown on a screen Mr.
Garanger was able to announce that the
second car was just one-fifth of a second
too slow. It is almo ost impossiblo to com-
prehend so brief a space of timne, but as
the second car covered 10 feet in that time
all that was necessary was to start it a little
sooner to get it past before tie fret car
completed the somersault, which was esily
done. By aid of lr. Mlelies' ioooise pie.
tore canmoera floe error was qcly do~teted
and this correction was effected in al hour
or so where days miglt otherwise have
been spent in experimenting.
Mlelies at Dinner Party.
After the   opening   night's 1 rfolrmance
there was a little dinner partv as, Which
were present Gaston Moelies, his wife and
son, Mime. R. de Mirmond, sister of Mae.
Melies, T. and Mme. Faguet, l. Maurice
Garanger and his fellow students of lEcole
Centrale d'Paris, M. Ingouf, 31. Lolpzeao
and M. Griener.     Several bottles of good
wine were drank to the success of Y. Go-
ranger and the thriller.
The crowds that surround the motidget
Weeny Wee and the Baby Elephant, Abe,
are sufficient testimony to the interest the
public still have in "freaks."
Toby Siegrist and his troupe of Viennese
aerialists, ten ito number, never fail to get
a hand on their big casting act.
George Browyn and his dogs fortt one of
the hardest working teams of acrobats in
the show.
The Geromes give a classic exhibition in
their statuary act.
Ryan, Zorella    and  Jenkins, Mith their
comedy bar act, have a great lnugh pro-
ducer. The aggregation of comely acrobats
at the Garden is the largest tt seen at
one time and place, including the Bells,
Hardig Bros., tie Bonacke, A. s1. 11owasda,
LaVae Trio, and the Mettstiaiis-ll special-
ists and exceedingly funny in twir seeral
acts.
alary and Petroff's musical dos are one
of tioe distinct features among tie animal
acts.  Prof. Wormwood's bears and other
small animals also do tricks that are as-
tonishing and testify to the great slill of
the trainer.
Friars Club House Progressing.
TWork on the now     Friars' club house is
progressing rapidl.   Twenty mo1n are at
work making alterations and it is exiected
that the house will be ready for occupancy
not later than May 1. The first annual fes-
tival, which takes place May 14 at the Noe
York theater, is being pushed to success
Lew Dockstader has taken a box at $200;
Thomas Q. Seabrooke has offered his ser-
vices as an entertainer and the tickets are
selling rapidly. A half-sheet hanger, dral
by   George   "Newly   Wed"   Mclialus and
printed by the Gillin Printing company, has
been sent to every    nevspaper and opera
house manager in the country for displc
Last Friday evening's meeting, while ell
attended, was mainly a "gabfest" in which
everybody took a shy at the Board of Gov-
ernors.  The members were also remtinded
of the coming dinner at tie Hotel Astor
to Lee Shubert, which takes place ThursdaY
evening. April 2.    This promises to be a
successful event.
New Companies Incorporated.
The following companies were incorpO -
led atAlbany, N Y. durig tie1a01eec:
Tloe Be Cordova-Boger Thoeattral carp0t
of New York, with a capital of $1,000, with
Leander De Cordova, C. C. Boyer and .t
R. Goldman as directors; the Conneticut
Amusement Park      company of Newt eorI
vith a capital of $100,000, wvith 11. Copea
lanod, D. J. Buckley and T      P B.  00 0
directors; the Harry Botoreli c'.0001000
New tork, wito a capital of              ul' tOO,  lt
Harry Bonell, H. B. ValentineC and S.
Cass as directors; the Monroo Amousemet
company of Rochester, N. y., with a color
tal of $2,500, with F. D. Cody, G. E. tr
ker and Benjamin      Halstead as direcos
s and   the Manhattan     Theater cotmpan c1
New York, witn a capital of $5,000. witf,
P. Forbes, T. F. Garrity and Patrick Mof-
fatt as directors.
Nearly 800 members of Brooklyn Lodge
22, B. P. 0. E. attended the performance o
Tle   Masqueraders    give   l by  Edna W '
Spooner at Blaney's Lincoln Square theater
on Monday night, March 23. It ias alsocth
,500th  anniversary  of ti    spooner sot
o company on Broadway. Both kiss Spoone
. and her mother are honorary members Oi
Brooklyn Lodge.
P. J. Casey, who for many years was the
r right bowser of William Morris and who had
WRITE, WIRE OR WALK TO
SUPREMIE FILMfiEXCHPNGE
(INDEPENDENT
PILMS FOR RENT
We do not belong to the TRUST and, therefore, do ot
Charge Excessive Prices. Shipments arrive on time.
We Guarantee No Repeaters.
SUPREME FILM EXCMANOB,
Seventh and Cedar Sts.    ST.PAUL,MINN
6
BY J. L. HOFF.
I
I
I
r~.V
1  I
T~(
Ir