The San Francisco call., 1908-09-18
1.-THE DEVIL" STIRS
UP MUCH TROUBLE
Arrangements of Two Local
Theaters Quarrel Over Right
to Produce Play
Valencia Sh0whouse Publishes
Letter Asking Novelty to
Withdraw Drama

The Deyii'' is making the same sort
OF trouble in San Francisco that was
kicked up in New York, for the man
agements of two local theaters have
begun to quarrel over the exclusive
right to produce the celebrated Molnar
drama. as Harrison Grey Fiske and
Henry W. Savage are still quarreling
in the eastern metropolis. Beiasce &
Mayer of the Alcazar announced yes
terday morning that they were going
to produce the Hungarian drama at the
Novelty theater, with Howard Hick-
man in the title role.
Following this announcement came
one from the Valencia theater and a
public letter addressed to Belasco &
Mayer. Announcement and letter fol-
low:
terday that they intended to present The
Devil at the Novelty theater beginning Sep
tember q, led to vigorous protest on the part
intended TO do The Devil the coming week
but postponed It week in order to insure a
more perfect production than the hastily thrown
together AFFAIR which is promised for the Noy-
city. Walter Hon Seely, general manager of
the Valencia, yesterday wrote Messrs. Belasco
& Mayer letter which said, in part:
MAKES FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT
ION the opening night of the Valencia
theater last Saturday night. in the course of a
speech / made from the stage TO the audience
announced tnat We would present The Devil
at the Valencia theater the second attrac-
tion Of the season. i stated that while in New
York recently both Mr.. Page, my business man
ager, and myself had seen The Devil at the
Belssco theater on the first night of that notable
production, aud had Immediately arranged 10
use the Fiske version in San Francisco NY
plans have been perfected for weeks / have
been working this production the stage car
penters have built elaborate production. and
everythin was In readiness for its perform
ance next week when Sedley Brown, the stage
manager, asked for little more time in which
10 rehearse the intricate scenes. Robert War
wick who win play The Devil also said he
would appreciate more time for study SO I re-
luctantly postponed the production another week
presenting The conquerors' in the meantime.
Now see By the morning papers that you are
arranging to present another version of The
Devil at the Novelty theater. I want to regis
ter a vigorous protest against such unprofes-
sional conduct, not only WIS I FIRST in the
field with my announcement but / can prove
that I have secured the only authorized YER
sion. the same that is being played at the
Belasco theater in New York. You cannot do
Justice TO The Devil on the small stage of the
Novelty. and your production win simply be a
poor Imitation Of 8 great play. which Will be
done IN its entirety stage. l sincerely
advise you TO withdraw your proposed produc-
ton, for ethical well business reasons -
Mr.. Seely at first considered advancing his
production OF The Deyip' so that It could be
done the coming week. thus anticipating his
rivals, but finally decided not TO injure bis
production by the haste which win undoubtedly
be in evidence when the rival production IS
thrown together on the stage OF the Novelty.