Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-05-17
DAME RUMOR BUSY
ALONG THE RIALTO
BY sIDLE LAWRENCE

Il OS ANdEhISS llltolliNei iii'NOAS
shows no parallel for existing
IL conditions in the theatrical bust
ness. DEVELOPMENTS of the past week
have been both important and sur
prising. What the future may bring
many rialto wiseacres stand ready to
tell YOU, if you nave the time, the
patience and the inclination to listen
to them.
Just at present the common or rialto
variety of rumor apparently mas az
tanned its highest form of develop
ment There are rumOrs to fit every
possible contingency, and not few
contingencies that are impossible, II
| may be permitted the bull. The the
atrical optimists and the playhouse
pessimists are at it hammer and tongs.
The former point with pride to the
record breaking run of THE Girl of
the Golden West" at the Belasco,
to the habitual use of the "sold out
sign at the Burbank theater and at
the Orpheum, and to the advance sale
for John Drew's brief engagement at
the Mason, which is said to have frac-
tured few house records on its own
account.
The latter view with alarm, as pes
simists ever do, the failure of the light
opera season at the Auditoium and
the consequent closure of that house
last night; the present untenanted con-
dition of the Los Angeles theater, and
the closing of the Grand, announced
for next Saturday.
Rumor Has Many Tongues
Meanwhile, the wiseacres. the rialto
habitues who are "in the know side
first with one cult and then with the
other. to suit the hot and cold winds
of their own argument. If you are in
search of rumor you may find one
that suits your own ideas, Whatever
they may be- without setting foot out
side the white light limits. The one
problem that seems to give the pro-
fessional cognoscenti pause is the prop
lem of the Auditorium. Here specuia-
ton is baffied by inscrutability.
The Auditorium is about to change
managers without in the least chang
ing arrangements. The Auditorium
hoard will remain in control as II has
controlled heretofore; but what man
ner of man the new manager may De
and what policy he may adopt are
pretty problems for prylng. people. II
has been a month now since Ernest
Crawford was notified of his appoint
1nent to be manager of the Auditorium,
bepinning June l. What he has ac-
complished in that time, if anything,
to solve the future of the mouse, re-
mains unknown. Mr.. Crawford has
kent his own counsel, perhaps because
haps just barely perhaps because ne
has had nothing to tell
However, let us return to our ru-
mors. Upon various occasions WITHIN
the past week l have had the follow
ing predictions made to me In all Sc
robustness by men connected in some
capacity or another with the theatrical
business of Los Angeles:
The Grand in Rumor
The Grand will remain closed three
weeks and then will present stock
burlesoue company. headed by Murray
and Mack, according to one inform
ant. and by Rice and Cady, according
to another.
manently as a theater and the build
ing will be remodeled for commercial
purposes.
THE Grand viii be turned over to
John Cort. who will keep it closed until
fan. when he will present there the
stair and Havlin attractions.
The Grand will be operated by tho
Orpheum company as a popular priced
vaudeville house, probably 10, 20 ana
20. and patrons will be allowed to
smoke
The Grand will offer comic opera and
win he operated in connection with tho
princess theater, San Francisco.
There are a few more Grand rumors,
hut in the early stages of the rumor
endemic | neglected to catalogue speci-
mems and several of them escaped me.
AS matter of fact, however. the
,,imor regarding Murray and Mack
was well founded. Those comedians
viii come here in few weeks and Will
NAV at the Grand. Doubtless they Will
ppresent musical comedy, verging upon
hurIesoue. The duration of their sea-
son win depend. of course, upon the
patronage accorded the venture, though