Omaha daily bee., 1909-10-31

the handling OF baggage and scenery, with
various incidentals, amount to $500 a week
more, so that the total expense, apart from
Mr.. sothern's salary, is $500 a week,
Income of the stars.
Now the income OF the big star is m
thing that no one save the managers and
the stars themselves may speak OF with
certainty, and 1 can only give estimates
based upon the best information available.
Mr.. sothern is said to receive 1880 a week
and 25 per cent of the profits. Therefore
It will be seen that the total expense Of his
company is 5000 a week. And while he
can command a very large percentage Of
the total receipts, although not as great
as those given to Mr.. Mansfield, he must
AXE in, on an average, $4,000 q week in
order to make any profit. outside Of New
York, and in the metropolis he must draw
even more.
Julia NARROW is said also to receive $500
a week and a quarter Of the profits, which
explains why these two stars ceased to
act together. They could draw almost as
much money while playing alone as they
could in the same company. But they Will
again Join forces this season and probably
command an advance over regular prices.
Maude Adams, who is probably the most
profitable star in the world, is said to get
$500 a week and one-half the profits from
Charles Frohman. For years Maud Adams
has averaged a profit OF 100000 q year.
Even In Peter Pam" her most phenom-
email success, the net profit was over SlA,-
900, so it can be seen that there Is no star
so fixed as she. Her personal income lie
not far from 100000 a year from acting
alone.
John Drew is also an equal partner with
Charles Frohman, and in addition he
draws a salary of $500 a week. Ethel Bar
rymore Is said to receive $500 a week and
lao per cent OF the profits. David Belaseo
usually makes a canny contract, giving his
stars a small salary and a large percent
age-after the production is paid for-With
a certain amount deducted each week for
this purpose.
When FRITZ scheff left grand opera TO
Ibecome a comic opera star, she received
1000 a week and 25 per cent Of the profits.
Afterward her salary was increased to Sl,25O
and now it is said to be even larger. Sam
Bernard, the comedian. gels a salary OF
$500 a week, and half the show" as they
say in the business. For the things he in
PRODUCES in his performance he receives a
Eoyalty-Which is Away as much as he
can get. Lillian Russell, who plays to
enormous business outside Of New York
and especially in smaller. towns, and in
One-night stands, receives q salary of 500
a week and a percentage which brought
, her income up to $4,000 last year.
The star system is a pure business prop
ositton. once established in popularity, a
star Is a valuable asset. Maude Adams
could make money In an utterly bad play
John Drew could carry a very poor one
10 financial success, But there Is also a
vast deal OF money in plays themselves
without a star.
What James Ford characterized as the
"b'gosh" drama holds the record. ]
wouldn't pretend 20 estimate the millions
taken in by The Old Homestead" WAY
Down East" is now in its thirteenth pros
porous season and It has netted William A,
81, 900, 900. "The Lion and the Mouse" and
Brady and Joseph r. Grismer upward of
The Man OF the Hour nave also made a
fortune for managers and authors and they
are still going. Last season, Eugene Walt
er's Paid in Full" made a profit Of 600,
900, with four companies on the road. That
is one advantage Of having a big success