Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-07
NOTES BY THE
MATINEE MAN

tn HE coming or Merrl OSBORNE TO
the Orpheum this week reminds
me that 1 used to know the
merry Merri back east, when she had
just graduated out of the merry,
merry" into soubrettish roles Merri
wanted new short skirted gown in
which to make hit in a certain middle
west city where clothes count as much
as does ability, and she went to the
leading artist in such affairs to have it
built.
"How do you want it cut in front?"
asked the needle manipulation.
"As low as the law allows" said
Merri.
"And in the back?"
"a little lower, please"
The orders were obeyed-literally,
and then some. In fact, you could see
more of Merri than you could of the
gown. But she made that town sit up
and take notice.
1 wonder if Merri still lives up to her
name? What good Indian she used
to be- 1t was always wealthy-water
for two-or more-when she was
around, rides after the show and petit
soupers to burn-I mean to eat. Broil-
ed lobster was her favorite meal, and
a good laugh her best diversion. But
that was-some years ago. The festive
Merri hasn't been especially active in
the press of late; am looking forward
to seeing her that 1 may ascertain
why.
Her name is Flora ZABELLE. 1 am
constrained to put it in capitals not
because her manager requires it-or
her art, though that is a better reason
but because so few ever spell it right.
She has appeared in print as every
thing from Doorbell, a prime favorite.
to Gazabo. happen to know how she
writes her cognomen, and am con-
strained to ask my confreres to learn
it. If you can't spell "Zabelle." brother
scribeS, use Mrs. Raymond Hitch
COCK and you won't be far wrong.
Neva Aymer, who flew the coop that
held the "Raindears" when that aggre-
cation soaked the Orpheum stage
nightly ostensibly to wed a prize
fighter, but didn't, is back on the stage
again. She is playing with our old fat
and lean friends, Kolb & Dill, in San
Francisco. Evidently the slugger did
not come to time. Barney Bernard is
also back with Kolb & Dill, who are
raking in the coin up there. Neva is a
clever girl; She ought to stick to the
stage and not go gallivantin round
after plug uglies.
Sedley Brown and his auburn whisk-
ers are still with us and will be till
the Ferris season is done. Sedley was
going up to San Francisco to the
Chutes, but close look-in didn't make
it seem good.
My little friend, Carroll McComas,
would make a fine addition to The
Callfornians, Herr Dewey's new opera
company. wonder he doesn't get into
touch with her. She can sing, that girl
can, as well as whistle.
Incidentally, most of the members of
The Californians are in town now and
rehearsals will begin right away. Rob
in Hood" will be the first bill. The
roster of vocalists looks good to me
if lombard succeeds in learning Eng
lish.
You may look for Blanche Hall back
at the Burbank before May day. 1
have straight tip. Mary Van Buren,
win go to New York after her engage
ment here is ended Blanche Halls
stay will be indefinite-as long as Los
Angeles wants her. which is the same
thing. l think the critics should get
together and christen the Burbank's
lone female black cat blanche" in
honor of the returning star and not let
it be nameless merely because of its
sex.
Another ex-Angeleno up in San Fran
cisco is Ramsey Wallace, who made
his exit from the Dick Ferris company
under peculiar circumstances, involving
a fake story of a woman which he
handed to the local yellow, got into
trouble over and then tried to get the
other papers to suppress. would warn
Wallace to lay low with the San Fran
cisco papers; they are not so good
natured as are the papers here.
And, by the way, Jack Blackwood as
an editor is all to the willies. Ask him,
and see. He could get job on the Bug
house Bazoo tomorrow.
The Belasco News, the sheet which
Jack Blaekwood runs that lie may get
even with the critics and boost his
show whether the reviewers do or not,
has the tremendous number OF one