New-York tribune., 1901-08-18
SHOWMEN'S TRICKS.
VARIOUS DEVICES EMPLOYED TO DUPE
THE CONFIDING PUBLIC.

| lishment which had long stared at him from the
1 lid of the box whenever he polished his boots.
We also informed that the pilgrim was dis
appointed, finding that it had been "drawed too
architectolooral." 1t is a habit of designing
persons to draw every picture too "architecto-
looral" and mankind is generally duped by the
dodge; wherefore, remains a mystery. OF all
people who avail themselves of this weakness
| TO their profit, those who most perseveringly
keep up the game. and who find it most likely
TO catch the unwary, in spite of its admittedly
| ancient character. are the managers of cheap
| theatrical companies The worthy patrons of
cheap houses, which grant admittance either
free or for a few cents. are always ready, ap-
parently. to be captured by the stalest Of bait,
else why do the managers keep up the trick
with such optimistic fervor?
Just at present the Bowery is enlivened with
huge rainbow colored posters announcing, ap-
parently. the advent Of a highly sensational
melodrama at one Of the low class theatres. As
a matter of fact nothing of the sort is in prep
aration. or is so asserted to be by the paper
The posters merely what remains 10 tell the
tale of an expired realistic drama Of the horrors
Of darkest New-York, with microscopic legend
| pasted across setting forth that the Slaves of
Opium Buresquers'' viii appear on such a date
slaves of Opium reads large and clear. while
few but the wary would discover that il
not the play but the "buresque" named after
! the melodrama that is announced slaves
/ Of Opium" has met the fate of many an
/ other of it's kind. and left its manager with
large quantities Of imposing paper on ms
hands. the manager Of some cheap VaudeNHle
show has bought the posters for a song. and
trusts To luck that until fairly in the theatre
the difference between what the flaming sheets
set forth and the entertainment really before the
audience will not be noticed. The trick is not a
new one but it apparently serves its purpose
once past the box Office. the money Of the most
dissatisfied patron is good as that OF the
/ most enthusiastic applaudcr
Another form Of the same trick is common
that il really seems 10 he kept up from force oi
habit rather than for the sake of any adNan-
/ tage to be gained. \ stranger, a green strdn-
ger. that is might be surprised at the exceeding
beauty Of the singers whose faces on large post
ers. grace the outside Of the free music halls in
/ th. Bowery. where the managers pay salaries
and support themselves on the profits OF the
five cent glasses Of beer drunk. Anna Held, for
| instance. was featured" in front OF one OF
these places for several weeks. Not line said
/ that she was really within, but the stranger
who knew no better. IT, indeed, such Innocence
IS to be found in the Howery. might well have
gone inside and enriched the Golfers by five
cents in the hope Of seeing the lovely creature.
This trick however. is not confined to the
/ Rowery 1t is one commonly employed, with
more reason. by cheap travelling repertory COM
panies. Paper is bought wholesale. repre-
| senting attractive leading men and gracious
/ heroines and these are pasted all over the one
| night stands possibly attracting large bucoLc
audiences Outside the theatre itself IT Is
! common practice TO show he photographs Of
well known New-York actors who played the
parts originally. although what benefit this can
| be among people who have never been in New
York K is hard TO see. Stock companies too eX-
hibit photographs Of actresses who are not with
/ the company, and the manager if asked by some
friend who recognizes the young woman, and
wants TO know if she is playing. will re-
ply No but We hope To have her with us
later" although the actress in question may be
at the other end Of the country.
An odd variation Of this trick was played by
a well known manager who would not lightly
be accused of resorting to such devices.
Second company" toured the country while the
actress who had made the reputation of the play
continued in this city. but the posters read
after this fashion: Miss Mary Smiths Rosa
mund' presented by a select company with
MARY Smiths Rosamund'" printed in huge
letters and the note about the company in very
small ones The result was that even well in
formed persons Sc ing the posters, would ex-
claim Why here's Mary Smith. who made
euch a hit in New-York" and would rush 10 the
box office and secure seats.