Page 12

12
TH.
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The Show World PublishingGo.
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WARREN A. PATRICK,
General Director
WALT MAKEE,
Editor
M. S. PATRICK,
Secretary and Treasurer
Entered as second-class matter, June 25.
1987, at the Postoffice at Chicago. Illinois.
'under the act of Congress of March 3. 1879.
ST. LOUIS OFFICE
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MANUSCRIPTS:
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bearing upon a topic of vital interest to the
profession of entertainment.
Manuscripts or news matter will not be
considered unless written upon one side Of
the paper only and addressed In the lower
left hand corner of the envelope to The
News Editor.
NOVEMBER 6, 1909.
EDITORIAL.
Business and the Critics.
Calvert's Journal, a commercial pub-
lication issued in Chicago, takes issue
with the dramatic reviewers and ap-
pears to think that because they hap-
pened to praise certain attractions and
they did not succeed, and because they
blamed others and they did succeed,
that the critics are all wrong. The Cal-
vert Journal appears to believe that
commercial success is the only criterion.
The fact is that a play may be excel-
lently constructed and be of a very high
quality in every particular and the gen-
eral public will not give it the slightest
attention. Again, a play may be badly
constructed, vicious in its tendencies
and vulgar in style, and still draw a
large number of people of a certain
class. The critic's business Is to state
whether a play is written according to
the accepted standards; whether it is
uplifting in its tendencies or degrading
in its influence. The true critic will
not care a tinker's darn whether every
one in the audience is wild over the
play, if he knows that it Is badly writ-
ten and will exert a detrimental In-
fluence.
Here follow some of the opinions ex-
pressed by the writer in Calvert's Jour-
nal: "Regarding the theater as a com-
mercial institution Calvert's must insist
that no critic has a right to go beyond
a certain line in criticism, either ad-
verse or favorable. It would not be tol-
erated in any other line of business and
t newspaper that published extremely
detrimental tirades against any produc-
tion tending to injure the business of
the theater, such as advising its readers
not to attend the performance, should
he held liable for damages as it would
be if it published an article advising
its readers not to purchase a certain
nake of automobile because the writer
regarded it as dangerous.
"In Chicago the critics are notoriously
inaccurate or unfortunate in their judg-
ment. Plays that they condemn thrive
and productions that they laud fail to
please. After all is said and done, the
public is tejudge.
"Calvert's recalls two  productions
that were lauded to the skies by the
critics, but failed. One was the "Al-
cadye." The Tribune critic even ad-
visedihis readers to learn to pronounce
tice title as it would be a las ti ng suc-
cess.  The production was taken off
after a short run. Another was "Alice
in Wonderland," which suffered a sim-
ilar fate. Such examples of bad judg-
ment causes one to lose faith in the
critics ana even arouses suspicion.
"One of the most flagrant cases of
unreasonable  adverse  criticism  was
against tie production  f the 'Queen
of the Moulin Rouge.' Every Chicago
newspaper critic printed notices couched
in such terms as to discourage theater-
goers from attending the performance.
The reviews were not criticisms, but
tirades. The plot or features of the
production were not mentioned. The
actors in the cast were described as
being ashamed of themselves. A mis-
hoap to the scenery was dragged in in
the attempt to embarrass the produc-
tion. Another example might be cited in
the production of Henry W. Savage's
'Madame X,' and 'A Fool There Was.'
The criticisms were flippant, while both
plays, in the opinion of Calvert's, are
powerful dramas."
Scenic rums.
Exhibitors are more or less prone to
look upon "scenic" films as an unat-
ractive, cheaply produced commodity,
which the manufacturers would do well
to omit from their scheme of things.
The exhibitors claim that scenics are
not popular-and by "scenics" is meant
all films which do not include a plot-
but the truth of the matter is that the
exhibitors imagine they are not getting
their money's worth when they do not
see a company of actors disporting
themselves in a celluloid comedy or
drama.
Robert E. Durrant, who is in Chicago
this week, in conference with J. J. Mur-
dock of the International Projecting &
Producing company, as the representa-
tive of Hepworth, an English film manu-
facturer, said, regarding the expense of
scenics:
"I am surprised that American ex-
hibitorsido not appreciatethecost value
of scenic films. They are the most ex-
pensive that a manufacturer can pro-
duce.  Take for example the African
views that our company has presented
from  time to time.   Each  one has
meant a special expedition to Africa,
consisting not only of a photographer,
but several assistants.  The average
cost of such an expedition will not come
under $1,000, aside from which the men
engaged must face all kinds of dangers
and hardships and they never know un-
itthey return home and theirfilms are
developed, whether their journey has
been successful or not. Our firm has
sacrificed a small fortune on foreign
film adventures which have failed for
one reason or another. For instance, in
one case, the camera was smashed to
splinters by the natives. The camera
man was in a boat and the natives on
shore threw rocks at him and demol-
ished the instrument.
"Our aim in producing scenics has
been to assist in that educational move-
ment no wspreading throughout all coun-
tries, rather than to furnish mere amuse-
ment for the masses, although the latter
point is as often attained as the former.
Our sales books convince us that the
half of the people want to know how
the other half live."
Lillian Berry Reid.
Lillian Berry Reid, whose picture ap-
pears upon tce front page oftcis week's
Show World. has been engaged in solo
concert work for several years. For
two seasons she was soprano soloist
with Sousa's band, while previous to that
she was for three seasons soloist with
the now defunct Brooks' band. She is
widely recognizedoas one ofthegreatest
colorature sopranos in the United States,
and her personality is such that her
friends are legion.
With "The Flirting Princess" and
"The Kissing Girl" both in town, how
can a person behave?
The Show World wears the union la-
bel. Look on the other theatrical pa-
pers and see if you can find that label.
Sam Lederer, who has been In the
managerial field but a short time, seems
to be fortunate for he is about to get
"The Earth."
May Vokes, in "The Flirting Prin-
cess,"says that the Arctic circle is"the
first row, on the first night of a frost."
not bad, is it?
Our distinguished patients are con-
valescing. Maxine Elliott has recovered
from her sprained ankle and Eva Tan-
guay is back at the Colonial as good as
new.
It is said that the "accident" to a
chorus girl's bodice in "The Flirting
Princess" occurs at about every per-
formance. There are more ways than
one to attract attention.
If you want to see a smile that is a
smile, just take a look at Jake Sternad
these days.  He has acquired the va-
riety that won't come off.
If all the suffragettes are as win-
some as those seen in "They Loved a
Lassie" at the Whitney, give us more
suffragettes.
Better a good moving picture than a
bad drama any time. Some of the at-
tractions now offered are so inane, that
they would not suffer at all if they were
given in pantomime.
Cecelia Loftus might make a big hit
if she would introduce am imitation of
herself into her act.
BIRTHS.
A daughter was born last week to Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Quinn at Spokane,
Wash. Mrs. Quinn is the daughter of
Jessie Shirley of the Shirley Stock
company now appearing in the larger
cities of the West.
MARRIAGES.
Crawford-Turk-G. N. Crawford and
Mamie Turk were married in Butte,
Monit., November 2. Mr. Crawford is
manager of the Family theater and the
bride was formerly his treasurer.
OBITUARY.
Harry M. Barlow, of the vaudeville
team of Barlow & Nicholson, died in
Chicago, 111., November 1.    He was
known in the profession as Milt G. Bar-
low, Jr., and was the only son of the
late Milt Barlow, of Barlow-Wilson-
Primrose & West fame. He is survived
by a widow and child. The team of
Barlow & Nicholson has played in all
the principal vaudeville theaters in the
country. The obsequies were conducted
by the Chicago lodge of Elks, the de-
ceased being a member of the New-
castle (Pa.) lodge.
Mrs. Dave H. Woods, a well-known
actress and wife of the late Dave H.
Woods, died at the State Hospital, To-
ledo, 0., Saturday, October 30.   (See
news item elsewhere.)
William L. Gleason, a veteran actor,
diedatoOakland, Cal.,recently, fro mthe
result of anoperation. He was former-
ly a member of the Baker Stock com-
pony, at Portland, Ore.  In the early
'80s he was at Wallack's theater, New
York, with the Wallack Stock company.
Afterwards he became stage director for
Charles Frohman and was identified
with the original production of a num-
ber of early successes, including 'The
Ensign." it was as business manager
for McKee Rankin and Nance O'Neill
thathhe first came here. Hetookra fancy
to the place and his later years were
spent here. His firstappearance was at
the Baker in'"ANight Off." He is sur-
vived by a wife and son, who is a mem-
ber of the "Checkers" company.
William  Crompton, the veteran Eng-
lish actor, died in New York and his fu-
neral was held in Boston last week,
the Boston lodge of Elks having charge
of same. He was sixty-four years of
age. He was born in Manchester, Eng-
land, in 1843. He joined the old Bow-
ery Stock company in 1867 and in 1878
he supported George Edgar and Ada
Cavendish, the English actress, playing
at Wood's museum, New York, which
later became Daly's theater. He went
toEngland in 1889, and upon hisreturn
to America he engaged with Mr. Mans-
field and originated the part of the well-
to-do tradesmen in "Beau Brummel."
He later played with other stars. He
toured the country in leading roles in
both "Hazel IKirke" and "Esmeralda,"
and later was Uncle Bartlett in "May
Blossom," which he played 700 times.
He was business manager for William
Gillette, supported the English beauty,
May Fortesque, witho the Boston Thea-
ter Stockecompany in "A Run of Luck"
and went to England with Richard
Mlansfield's company and had supported
Julia Marlowe. He is survived by a
son.
Allen McPhail, violinist at the Bijou
theater, GreatFalls, Mont., diedcFriday,
October 22. He had recently come to
Great Falls from Spokane, where he Is
said to have been a member of the
Orpheum orchestra.
Patents Company Take Notice.
"Why is it," asked a local exhibitor,
"that the Motion Picture Patents com-
pany permits four houses between Dear-
born and Clark streets on Madison to
exhibit the pictures of Annette Keller-
man on the same day?" The Show
World Is not the Patents company and
therefore cannot reply.
THE SHOW WORLD
I
November 6,a
LETTERS TO THEEDITOR,
Harry L. Schroder Wanted.
Bonaparte, la Oct. 26, 1b
Editor, The Show Wold. .
Can you tell me anything about
son, Harry    L. Schroder I rave
heard frot him sinceMayI lode
hie was in the souch. If >ou kmoh
whether he is dead or alive, will you
please letme    now. Very respectfully
nit mother,
MRS. SARAH SCHRODER
(Ed. Note:    Performers, will bdr
forward any informatontheymay
regarding  Harry   L         may h
dr     io hisaoth rSchroder, either
diret tohis  or or to tile S
World.)
Parker Makes Correctis
Abilene, Kan.,Oct. 3
Editor Show World-
In your issue of the ShoowWocldof
October 23rd, I noticed an article ro
garding the Parker shows, now at Spo
kane, Wash., and thought it might be
well to give you the facts f the cas
I sent my son Barney B. Parker
Spokane to see that the C. . Park,
shows   were properly stored for t
winter.   He will repair the prtpert
this winter, preparatory to nextseaso
run.  I do not know at this time n
will be at the head of the Parker
amusement aggregation on tie coast
next season, but when the show isn
readiness, I will be open for bid
Yours respectfully,
C. W. PARKER.
Thomas A. Graves Killed.
Minneapolis, Mine., Oct. 28.
Editor Show World.
I have just been informed of the
tragic death of Thomas A. Graves, a
motion picture operator. This man has
indirectly been in our employ in the
last few weeks, and was hilled last
nigot, whileridinga Milwaukeefreight
train at oMapleton Mifn. He know
noticing of te ma~n's former life, bar
judging from his appearance, I imagne
he has come from a good family. No
one in Minneapolis knowsbanythingco-
cerning him, andI wouldeerythank- .
ul indeed if you would useanea
item  in your paper and endeavor to
locate his family.   His full name is
"Thomas A. Graves," dark complected,
smooth face, about 27 years of age,
weighs about 140 pounds, and height'
about 5 feet 4 inches, neat appearing
and gentlemanly manners. I have in-
structed the authorities at Maipleton
where he was killed, to give him as
respectable a burial as possible, and if
you will endeavor to locate his family,
I know it will be a worthy cause
Thanking you sincerely for your most
respectful consideration to the above
request, I remain.
Respectfully yours,
JAMES V. BRYSON, Egr.
The Laemmle Film Service
South Wants Acts.
Ed Stout received the following let-
ter from the Princess Theatrical E-
change: "Mr. E d Stout, Business Atn,
ager, Actors' Union No. 4. Dear r.
Stout: Please have all the acts you can
recommend write us in regard to time
in this section of the country and in
thesouthern section. Wehvearranged
things inthe south muchdifferentfrom
any place, as there are only furhs
a day atmost anysouthern theater and
we have about thirty weeks' ork tO
of our Birmingham office and abt
twenty weeks' out ofthe officeote.
"Yours truly, J. j. Musselmauisin
cess Theatrical Exchange, Louitille
Ky., Casino Theaterbuilding."
right at Columbus Theater.
Chauncey Herbert a vaudeville per
former, and Max Weber,one o feptr
prietors of the Columbus theater, had
personal encounter at the thater cn
day night. Mr. Herbert saysthe con'
troversy was over a legal matter lo
TWeber says, "Herbert camedwn loe
Ing for afigh1t, and got apunch inthe
face."  The matter came    WPIn court
Wednesday morning and Mr. Webede
manded a jury trial. The case willcoa
up later.
Hopson Not rined.
It now transpires that EugeneD.HOp'
son, manager of the Vaudette theater,
Sixty-third street near Halsted street,
was not fined in court in connetill
with the cancellation of the voudepl
team  of Beecher & May. Mr.l opson
was arrested under the state nlw1r0
hibiting booking withoutsa license, b
as he had collected no commissonand
paid no salary, thecase was dismissed
upon Mr. Hopson agreeing to pay te
costs in the case, which amounted t
$8.50.
Peters Writes Hits.
William Frederick Peters, the well
known composer ofhmusicree ha    s
ly engaged writing saeti ewic hwit
for a big musical produtio   ntation
receive   a   metropolitan  prese angel
shortly. Mr. Peters also ran    aud
and contributed musicfornhin
ville acts, he is located inhisOffic
804 Champlain building, Chicago'
-