The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1909-03-27
More Than a "BuSs" Required
to Make Innocent Stage
Stunt a Law-Breaker.
SO EXPERT TEsTIFIES.
Referee Gets Light on Subject
at Hearing of American
Music Hall Case.

II there IS kissing In talking act on
the stage. Is It stl!l talking act?
r. A. Myers. wcll-known bookirG
agent, answered In the affirmative to-
day at the hearing In the case Of the
city against the American Music HAL,
held before Referee Emanuel B!umen-
stiel at No. q Pine street.
"You know what a kiss ls?" asked
Seymour p. Danz!g, Assistant Corpora.
ton Counsel.
Yes. Of course, do replied Myers.
testifylng as an expert
You've seen them and you've kissed,
haven't your"
Should say have"
Well" continued Mr.. Danzig. you've
seen different kinds OF kissing, haven't
YOU"
Sure"
And isn't It fact that some kisses
on the stage last two or three minutos?"
Il should say between ten and fifteen
seconds
Myers explained that kissing, hugglng,
love-making and Misunderstanding were
often included IN talking act.
Kissing Doesn't Matter.
But when the principals, say a man
and woman. kiss, they don't talk, do
they insisted Mr.. Danzg.
They don't talk when they're kiss
ing" returned Myers. You see, a talk
ing act Is something like n street con-
versation. There Is no plot TO carry
out: It's just sort OF mlxed-up affair"
And II n man or woman kissed, or
shook hands. or Rugged on the street,
they wouldn't be arrested. would they?"
broke In George NJ Leventritt, counsel
for the American Music Hall,
Hardly" said Myers. III persons
were arrested for that the jails would
be overcrowded." he added, In a smoth.
cred tone.
Mr.. Lsventrltt wanted to ask the
witness about certain act complained
Of as a violation Of the Sunday blue
law" for which William Morris Qnc.),
owner OF he American Music Hall. Is
being prosecuted. Referee Blumenstiel
said he might describe an act, without
mentioning any names or place, and
have the witness answer.
Just Talking Act.
"well," began Mr.. Leventritt wen
suppose an act represents a wife who
Is Jealous OF her husband, and the hus-
band is specializing in stocks against
the wite's wishes. There Is a mlsunder-
standing between them, which is later
adjusted and the kiss and make up
What would you term the act?'
"a talking act" replied Myers.
"And not z comedy. tragedy OF
farce"
NO"
Mr.. Danzlg. whose brother is on tn,
stage under the name OF Jesse Dandy
asked Myers II he were responsible FOL
changing the actors name.
~ claim that distinction" said Myers
"well, don't thank you a bit,
snapped Danzlg. ITS about the wors
name ever heard"
Referee Bumenstel ordered all refer
ence to Danzig's brothers change o
name stricken from the record. becaus
1t had no connection with the case a
issue.
Wouldn't Sing II.
Suppose three persons were In a,
act," asked Mr.. Danzlg, "and one o
them left the stage for a few minutes
to return presently in differen, cos
tune, what would you say the &C
was"
Talking act. unless there was som
music" said Myers,
And suppose telegram was brougH
in to one OF the persons; what then?
Talking act
with a telegram"
YES; they wouldn't sing II, Won
they
Harry Gilman, stage manager az Il
o American Music Hall, was also a W!
= ness. He told OF having given .ns,Tu
= lions to all actors and actresses on Il
. bill az the theatre TO comply with II
blue law" on Sundays.
Il The hearing was adjourned until ne