davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-14

strains emanating from fiddle OF the
long ago. Joe calls the instrument a
violin. He claims to have traced its
genealogy and to have discovered that
it was made by Amati in Cremona.
1921
MIR. Montrose, as you probably know.
is the Pooh Bah of the Burbank theater
staff His duties are many. He is
publicity promoter for the Morosco en-
terprises. He is composer extraordl-
nary and jollier plenipotentiary. He Is
head usher, doorman and keeper of the
mascot cats. He is likewise the thea
ter's official amateur photographer. AT
intervals, when the Burbank puts on a
musical comedy he is guardian to the
youthful and impressionable chorus
girls. In an emergency he has. been
known to serve as chauffeur. He is the
friend of all habitual "Burbankers" and
he, knows most of them by name. he
is the managing director of the Bur-
bank Musical Publishing company, and
occasionally he does musical turn in
one" on piano or zylophone.
However, it is as press agent that
Montrose does most complete justice to
the brilliant refulgence of his hair AS
a publicity promoter his stock in trade
consists of a lively imagination welded
to an easily assumed air of injured IN
nocence. His righteousness is ever
delightful
Several weeks ago Joe romped into
nv office with a half dozen photo
graphs of Miss Mapde. Gilbert. posed
with an ugly duckling which he as
sured me had been Matched from pink
easter egg sent to Miss Gilbert by a
friend. The duck. he said. had become
much attached to its mistress. answer
ed her call, followed her around like a
dog and gave every sign of suffering
from loneliness when the actress was
away.
Unfortunately I laughed. Joe didn't
see the joke. He insisted that every
thing he had told me was the truth and
nothing but the truth. He offered to
leave 1t to Miss Gilbert or to the duck.
And he expressed profound grief that
should have called his verify into ques-
ton. He was no nature faker, he as
sured me- and he also denied, more in
Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-14

pany as a chorus man and worked MS
way I'D to comedy roles. playing long
engagements in Boston, Philadelphia
and New York. For two seasons he
managed dramatic stock organization
in Sacramento. For three years he was
"a member of Henrietta Crossman's
company, making his debut with that
organization in the part of Ursus in
"Quo Vadis."
Under Mr. Fredericks' direction the
Unique company will change its policy.
There will be no more musical comedies.
Instead the familiar operas will be pre-
scented In one-act form. This week, the
first Of the Fredericks regime, Will be
devoted to Gilbert and Sullivan's tune
full and popular "Pinafore." Next week
will come Won Suppe's "Boccaccio."
The current Pinafore "cut" as it is
known professionally, was made by
Miss Maude Beatty, in conformity
with a version of the opera presented
through China by company in which
Miss Beatty was a member. In the
celestial kingdom theatrical perform
ances must be given in one act. When
the blind falls the Chinese audience
picks up it's fans and goes home, Ihus
English companies, touring in that
country, are compelled to present tneir
plays or operas in one scene.
The re-arfanged fiiidloio y
all of the best known musical NUMBERS
of the opera, and, In addition, presents
the complete story. 1t was prepared
originally for Chinese audiences. NOW
it is to be tried in America.
Lest we forget, we are to have still
another burlesque founded upon "Ihe
Girl of the Golden West" Next week
the girl will return to the Belasco stage
in propria persona. This week the
Empire will soffer "The Girl with the
Gold to Invest" In case some other
local impresario should decide to take
shy at this sort of thing 1 might
suggest the humorous possibilities OF
1.-The rGirl of the Olden Quest" or 'Ihe
Girl with the Cold on Her Chest.'
Francis Wilson, you may remember
Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-14

was entitled to use the "star" dressing
room.
Perhaps Manager Blackwood might
save himself trouble by adopting
similar expedient.
Herr E. A. Fischer, proprietor OF
Fischers and the Chronophone theatei,
last week entered into a contract with
the Gaumont Chronophone company
which assures much better film and
record service than Los Angeles has
vet had. The Gaumont company, a
French concern, organized an American
subsidiary corporation some time ago
and erected a producing theater al
Flushing l.. l. Here the records and
films for the chronophone machines
will be made by native actors and ma
tive singers.
Grand opera will be given in English.
Bits will be staged from the current
musical comedies and extraVaganzas
and the most popular American vaude-
Williams will be employed to do their
acts before the chronophone camera.
Thus canned plays and canned vaude-
vile stunts will take on new popu-
larity and if the company lives up TO
the promises of its contract Los An
geles will get these records as fast as
they are made, and before they have
been used elsewhere.
For various rasons the life of a
chronophone performance is brief.
The records do not long retain their
original purity of tone, nor the films
their first clarity of depletion. Thus
the newness of the numbers becomes a
matter of Importance 1t didn't take
the astute Teuton manager long to dis
cover this fact, and consequently he
has made a contract which obhgates
the Gaumont company to send him ma
terial which has never before been
used.
This rapid deterioration of films and
records seems to be the present chief
objection to canned entertainment Ex-
perts in the employ of the Gaumont
company are now searching diilgentiy
for a representative which will serve
its purpose and at the same time come
within the scope Of the pure food law
Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-14

Captain Leslie T.. Peacocke, assisted
by Mrs. Leland Bagley, who is known
professionally as Gertrude Keller. Will
present H. J.. Bryon's old English COM
edy, "Our Boys" at Gamut club audi
forum Tuesday night for the benefit
of the women's guild of st. Joseph's
Episcopal church. The comedy Will be
preceded by 1.-THE Syndicate" of which
Capt. Peacocke Is himself the author.
Others in the cast are Mary Moss Nc
Council. Mrs. Leslie T. Peacocke, Floss
Goldsmith, Anna Hefner, Mrs. Herbert
Norman, Hunter Mcconnell, Onslow
Newling, Ralph Sullivan, II. Alexan-
der Mcconnell and Herbert Norman.
Katherine Kirkwood, now member
of the McRae stock company in Van
couver and formerly with T. Daniel
Frawley, probably will join the Bur
bank company to play Maude Gilbert's
roles when Miss Gilbert goes on her
vacation next month.
Nance O'Neil and her company will
come to the Auditorium June 30. Her
engagement, however. probably will be
limited to one week instead of the fort
night originally allotted to it.
Miss Violet Rand, formerly ingenue
at the Belasco theater. is now mem
Der of the Katherine Countiss stock
company in Denver.
z. p. Foot, musical director at Fisch-
er's theater, has returned from Red
Wing, Mimi, where he was summoned
few weeks ago by the death Of his
father.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-14

Thus we may yet see q bit from "The
Merry Widow" for instance, properly
labeled ''in accordance with act OF
congress" and bearing the alluring le-
gend: "Phe contents of this package
comply with all the requirements or
law and are absolutely pure EN-
balmed vaudeville will give way to
vaudeville properly preserved and pic
torially presented.
Canned plays and canned opera, alike
a delight to the eve and to the ear. are
at hand.
Already canned vaudeville presents a
menace to the managers of big vaude-
vile circuits. This phase of the matter
Is more acute abroad than In the United
States. but men like Keith and Martin
Beck, who can see as far through the
hole of a doughnut as the next chap,
realize that they must bestir themselves
to guard against disaster.
For instance, 1t requires no very great
acumen to see that the vaudeville value
of Tottie Bellejambes act in the DO
cent houses would be seriously impaired
IL the same act In canned form had been
offered in the Decent chronophone the
aters.
It would seem, therefore. that the day
is not far distant when vaudeville con-
tracts will be drawn so as to include
clause prohibiting performers from SELL
ing their services to the talking picture
concerns.
The double bill, consisting of 1.-THE
Private Secretary and 1.-THE First
Born" at the Belasco this week will be
followed next Monday by Minnie Mad
dern Fiske. by many theatergoers re-
garded as the foremost living American
actress. Mrs. Fiske, who will present
Ibsen's "Rosmersholm," will remain for
only half a week. Then the stock COM
pany will present a revival of THE Girl
of the Golden West with Florence
Smythe in the name part. Around the
theater they are already making bets
on the probable length of this second
run.
Two weeks ago 'The Girl" concluded
a run at the Belasco of eight weeks;
yet the plays popularity was so great
even at the end Of that time that the
management has felt warranted in Of
fering a supplementary season. While
Mrs. Fiske is here the stock company
will present the same play in neighbor-
ing cities This will be the first time
the company ever has appeared on a
stage outside of Los Angeles.
Walter Fredericks, the new musical
director of the Unique musical comedy
| company, who will produce tabloid
opera at that house, has had an ex-
| tensive experience In the operatic field,
chiefly with the Milton Aborn COM
pany, of which he was a member for six
years. Mr.. Fredericks entered the COM
Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-14
ALICE TREAT HUNT:
AN APPRECIATION

TIME death Of Alice Treat Hunt in
this city last Monday brought
Il with it a sense of personal be-
reavement to a very considerable num-
Der of Los Angeles theater-goers. Miss
Hunt had been here less than two
months. She had played on the Be-
lasco stage only one role, but in that
role she had triumphed. Her winsome
personality, the excellence of her act
ing, the charm with which she invested
the character of the girl
things perhaps more than az else cen
tributed to the record breaking run OF
1.-THE Girl of the Golden West" Eight
weeks the play continued, but IN It's
seventh week the woman VINO nao
made the long run possible broke down.
Had she been content to give up
when disease first attacked her, the re-
suit. doubtless, would have been dif-
ferent. But Alice Treat Hunt was
made of sturdy stuff. She fought hard
against a disagreeable but seemingly
trivial attack of the grip. Slowly the
ailment Slapped her strength until nm
ally pneumonia developed. In her oed'
she still fought sternly, bravely, un-
ceasingly, without complaining; "A
consultation of physicians agreed she
could not survive the crisis of the dis
ease. But she did. Once they thought
her dead. They were wrong.
The crisis passed, the actress was
conceded a fighting chance, but her
heart, weaker than her spirit, caused
her physicians grave apprehension.
Early Monday morning 1t ceased 10
beat. The end had come.
Alice Treat Hunt was an actress or
picturesque accomplishment and bril-
liant promise Still youthful, her stays
career had been long. out OF all pro-
portion to her years. She appeared hrst
as a chilu actress. Then followed an
absence from footlight endeavor, dur
ing which the child gained an educa-
ton and blossomed into the woman.
Upon her return, her first important
engagement was as Madge i'll In Old
Kentucky Following there came sew
eral years in stock and summer sea-
son in the Shakespearian comedies
with her husband, Lester Lonergan.
The actress passing was pathetic
She died, kindly attended. but attend
ed by strangers. Her husband was
unable to come to her. In an adJoin-
ing room cooed her baby son, months
old. Perhaps 1t was for the child she
fought so bravely, with all the futile
heroism of solicitous motherhood.
1t is difficult to describe Miss Hunts
stage charm. She was what the
Italians call "sympatica." There is no
English equivalent. Call it magnetism,
personality, what you will, IT was an
Intangible influence that extended out
over the footlights and straight to the
hearts of her audience. Admiration for
her acting was necessarily accompanied
by affection for herself.
Had she lived she would have gone
far in her chosen profession. She never
would have become what is popularity
known as a great actress, but she
should have become one of the best
loved players of her time.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-14
OBSERVATIONS BY
A FIRST NIGHTER

nv HE season at the Mason is drawing
to a laggardly close. This week
II Henry Miller will present on that
stage THE Great Divide" drama
which has won both popular and criti-
cal acclaim in the east but which is new
to the coast. Then for three weeks the
doors of this playhouse viii be closed,
TO be reopened at the expiration Of
that time by Kyrle Bellew and Mar
garet Ellington in THE Thief" Follow
three more weeks of emptiness and
then Eleanor Robson. This completes
the list, and thus, though one season
will almost verge into the next, but
three attractions remain for this house
in the current theatrical year.
Summer plans at the Grand, an
nounced officially last week, but which
were first outlined in these columns a
month ago, contemplate the installation
of a musical comedy or burlesque or
ganization under the direction of Bert
Lyttel, June IS. This is an experiment.
The principals of the company are un-
known locally. There has long been
an idea, however. that Los Angeles Of
fers favorable field for the proper pre-
Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-14
secure a leading woman for the AL

secure a leading woman for the AL
cazar.
Joseph Galbraith, who was expected
to succeed Mr.. Stone, told me the 9TH
er day that he would not accept the
position If it should be offered to him.
Mr.. Barnum's resignation, announced
last week, was unexpected. 1t was due
In part to Ill health, which persuaded
him that he must take a rest this sum-
mer preparatory to his work iE the
east next fall.
At the Burbank theater next week "a
Society Pilot" the new play by Oliver
Morosco and DR.. c. w. Bachman, will
follow Tess of the D'Urbervilles." The
play, which will be staged by Mr.. Mo-
rosco personally, will show the skill OF
the co-authors in what is a new field
to both of them. 1t may be best de-
scribed, perhaps, as society comedy
drama with iieiodramatio moments.
Its story is one of love and social striv-
ing. It's characters are people OF the
smart set and people who are trying to
get into the smart set.
Joseph Montrose has composed an
overture, one song and considerable In
cidental music which will be used In
the play. The song comes at the end
OF the LnlTQ ACT, al 6AteTlOT SCcIlc, duu
is sung by a quartet in the distance,
the melody continuing as the curtain
falls.
Great interest has been aroused by
this new play which, II 1t meets with
the success hoped for, will be given a
production in New York later. Los
Angeles Is to see 1t first and much de-
ponds upon the Los Angeles verdict.
| AS told you last Sunday, this weeks
double bill at the Belasco will present
for the first time both Lewis S. Stone
and Joseph Galbraith upon one pro-
gram. Mr. Stone is to have leading
role in 1.-THE First Born" while Mr..
Galbraith will play in "The Private Sec
rotary" AS yet haven't dared to in
quire which one of them will use the
star" dressing room. If trouble re-
suits, however, 1t won't be the first
4 time that dressing room assignments
have caused disturbance.
| 1 recall visiting the stage of an east
ern theater some seven or eight years
ago to find the stars room locked ur
while three tents, identical in size anc
conveniences, had been erected In cor
ners where they would be out of the
way of the scenery. The attraction was
comic opera, "' he Wedding Day.
One of these tents was used by Lillian
Russell, another by Della Fox and the
third by Jefferson de Angels. 1t was
a tristan tour and consequently nobody
Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-14

sorrow than in anger, the insinuated
shorter and uglier' word.
Now this is the habitual Montrose at
titude of mind. l had experienced 1t
before and should have known better
than to doubt the genesis of that Easter
egg duck or its powerfully expressed
affection for Miss Gilbert. 1 am natur-
ally tenderhearted. 1 don't want to
make people uncomfortable, and the
Montrose grief oppressed me to such an
extent that I made up my mind never
again to question any statement he
might make Consequently when ne
told me the Burbank property man had
discovered q genuine Amati in local
secondhand emporium / endeavored to
appear properly impressed by the i'm
portance of the STORY"
You may recall that in Mistress
Nell' willis Marks, In the role of q
broken-down musician, carried fiddle
with him whenever he appeared upon
the stage. That was the Amat. Marks
didn't play 1t because he didn't know
how: and it was only through sheer
chance that the momentous discovery
was made.
Mine Herr Fischer, leader of the Bur
bank orchestra, CHANGED into the thea
ter one AFTERNOON and there found Mr.
Marks, Miss Hall and Mr.. Montrose.
Fortunately Montrose was there. III ne
hadn't been you probably never would
have heard of the Amati.
Miss Hall had a new song. She
wanted to try 1t out and she asked Mr..
Fischer to assist her. Here is where
Dame Fortune stepped into the breach.
Fischer doesn't play the piano. That's
queer in a musical director, but Mont
rose says. it's the truth, and Mont
rose ought to know. Joe does play the
niano, but he didn't volunteer on this
particular occasion, as that would have
spoiled the story.
Now, also, Mr.. Fischer takes his
own violin home each night. He
didn't have it with him that afternoon
and he said so. With ready ingenuity,
however, Mr. Marks offered his prop
erty instrument. Fischer accepted 1t
rather skeptically He noticed that 1t
had been painted a dirty brown, shell
lacked, vanished and otherwise be-
daubed. However, he started In to
| tune UP.
A moment later he was looking at
that fiddle like man who has just
received a $1,000 bill through the mall
accompanied by typewriter sl1I
reading conscience fund" He found
the tone clear, true, bell-like. Then
he investigated and inside the instru-
ment he deserted dimly signature
| "Amati, Cremona, 1921"
What followed you may guess
Fischer bought that Amati from the
! secondhand man for IS. Montrose
Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-14
FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

The latest play of Alfred Capus, LES
Deux Hommes," recently produced at
the Theatre Francois in Paris, is in n
more serious vein than his preceding
work, and has been received with u
chorus of critical praise. With the two
men. 1t must be almost needless to OBJ
serve, two women are involved. Paul
Champlin, a successful provincial law
yer, brings his wife Therese to Paris,
where he hopes to be engaged as coun.
sci by powerful financier He expects
to get the necessary introduction from
a. mutual friend, Marcel Delonge. All
goes well at first, but Champlin falls
into the tolls of an adventures, who is
Jealous of the preference which Marcel
shows for the immaculate Therese, ana
seeks to rob the latter of her husband
in retaliation. In this she Is completely
successful. Therese surprises the guilty
pair together, and, in a remarkably
effective scene, breaks with her hus-
band at once and forever. The impli-
cation Is that in the near future she
will find consolation with Marcel, who
sympathizes with her in her views of
coniugaI honor. 1t Is said that the
tone Of the play is distinctly moral and
didactic, while it's dialogue is admir-
able and it's construction exceedingly
Skillful, competent ana effective. lie
acting of the principal characters by
Mines. Bartet and Sorel and Messrs.
De Feraudy and lie Bargy is particu-
larly fine.
4 John Luther Long, author of Madam
Butterfly" is writing new American
play for Mrs. Leslie Carter, which will
show that actress in a down-to-date
role. The part, according to Mr.. Long,
will give Mrs. Carter full scope for her
emotional powers and also a chance to
show that she can do something more
subtle than the plays she has SO far
been seen in.
1--WE have no name as yet for Mrs.
Carriers new play" said Mr.. Long.
Sometimes the name is the peynote,
as in Madam Butterfly for instance,
then again 1t is the last point to be
settled. Five hundred names were con-
sidered before The Darling of the Gods
was chosen. 1t had been one of the
first suggested, hut its length was
against it. Yet it caught the public
fancy
Amy Ricard. one of the best known
of the younger actresses, Is soon to be
married to Charles Hanson Towne, ed
itor OF the Smart Set magazine.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-14
HENRY MILLER:
A BRIEF SKETCH

IN HE prominent position won by
Henry Miller upon the stage is his
- by right of long and faithful serv-
ice. Born in London, England, educat-
ed In that city and in Toronto. Canada.
he studied for the stage under the vet
eran actor Charles w. Couldock, MAX
ing his first appearance in Macbeth"
and his second In "Amy Robsart."
His debut on the New York stage
took place at Booths theater. April 26,
1880, as Aviragus in "Cfmbeline." with
the late Adelaide Nelson, whom he
supported in many other plays as well.
At the Madison Square theater he
played Herbert winthrop in the orig
inal production of Bronson Howard's
young Mrs. winthrop" Later he
Joined the New York Lyceum company
Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-14

says it is worth $500. AS matter or
fact, if it is genuine Amat, 1t is
worth considerably more than $4,000
But that's the only place where Mont
roses story falls down. He didn't ap-
preciate the possible value of that lit
tie box of wood, with its accompany
ing catgut Otherwise his yarn I'M
rolls without a snarl.
The bedaubery has been carefully
scraped from the violin's surface
Nightly. now, Mr.. Fischer uses 1t In
his playing. Doubtless you have no
ticed a recent marked Improvement in
the Burbank orchestra. If you nave
you may safely attribute 1T to the
superlative qualities OF the recently
discovered Amati.
Within a months time the Belasco
theater will present three new play
ers upon it's stage. A leading woman
will be secured to step into the place
unfortunately made vacant by the sad
death of Alice Treat Hunt. A new
leading man will succeed Lewis 5.
Stone July IL. Mr.. Stone having sub
mitted his resignation to take erect
upon that date; and a successor Will
he found for George w. Barnum, who
leaves the company following the per-
Torrance next Sunday night.
Originally it was the intention to
bring Herbert Kelcey and Effie Shan
non to the Belasco, beginning about
the middle of next month. which would
have given opportunity for more care
full consideration as to the availability
of prospective leading men and leading
women. However, this cannot be
done as Kelley and Shannon have en-
tered into contracts which, demand
their appearance in the east immedi-
the San Francisco Alcazar.
Frederick Belasco now is in COM
munication with eastern agents on the
subject, but may himself go to New
York before selections are made. In
addition to the players required for
the Belasco company here he must also
Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-14

sentation of just this sort of entertain
ment, and this theory now is to be put
to the test. With a competent company
the venture should prove profitable to
its promoters and pleasurable to its
patrons,
The Auditorium will present Nance
O'Neil for one week, beginning June 70.
Until then the house will be occupied
at intervals by local entertainments
and an occasional musical attraction.
The Los Angeles probably will continue
dark through the summer. The stock
houses and the Orpheum will pursue
the even tenor of their ways. The
Unique, Fischer's and the Empire will
continue along their usual lines. Just
at present the Theater Royal is in
financial difficulties and the future of
the house is uncertain.
Joseph Montrose, of musical DISPOSE
ton and achievement, committed bit
of press agentry last week which had
as its musical motif the wondrous