The San Francisco call., 1910-05-23
THEATER MANAGERS
once MORE STUNG
Professor Napoleons" of Flu.
ture Must Garry High Grade
Credentials


local charity organizations from any
responsibility in the matter. the Theat-
rical Managers association has tacitly
declared against Professor Napoleon"
and his dream" They have figured
that Professor Napoleon's Dream"
which society presented at the Valencia
theater for five days last January as
benefit for the poor of Telegraph hill,
costs the philanthropists of the city
close to $4,000. so per cent of which
charity never saw.
The dream" it is insisted. was de-
fusion and a snare. and there has fol-
lowed painful awakening to the real
spell which was cast by the suave and
erudite promoters. Professor Napo-
leon" has visited San Francisco q hun
dred times, say the managers. He al
ways comes with bland smile, a silk
hat, dress gloves. in an automobile and
usually appears at a pink tea. Some
body suggests a benefit for some good
charity and Professor Napoleon" takes
charge" and about so per cent of the
box office receipts, declare the local inn
presarioS. So, as far as the managers
Of the local playhouses are concern ed,
the next Professor Napoleon" will
have to come from Missouri before any
theater is donated for the occasion.
WORK OF PROMOTER
While there has been no official ac-
ton by the Theatrical Managers as
sOciation, there is tacit agreement
that any future benefit will have to be
submitted to the theater mana cement
before the house will be thrown open
TO the cause. No criticism attaches to
those who have sponsored the several
recent affairs; rather sympathy is ex-
tended to them and the charitable or
ganizations they have worked for The
movement is intended to protect the
worthy organizations from those affairs
which, under the guise of charity, are
deliberately foisted on the community
by professional promoters.
Not only San Francisco. but Los An
geles, Portland, Seattle San Diego and
Oakland, have all been made the vic
tins of floating set of benefit pro-
moters" who go from one place to
another in an almost regular circuit
They carry their own costumes, books
musical score and Hbretto They
try to work on an so per cent
gross basis, leaving 20 per cent for the
cause" and the creditors. To conceal
themselves from the theatrical man.
ayers, they work among the fraternal
lodges, Women's clubs and civic organi-
do all the work, volunteer talent works
assiduously over the lines, usually the
program privileges are reserved to the
promoters and an advertising commit
tee Of society maids delves into their
parents purse on the grounds of char
ity'-an roads lead to the promoters 8
pocket, who has a contract of employ
ment as coach and manager
PROMOTER TAKES ~CHARGs"
In the past the theaters have been
secured by a committee of ladies. who
speak for their lodge or organiza tions.
Anxious TO help any worthy charitable
benefit, the managers donate the house
to the ladies and dates are fixed. Then
the promoter appears and takes charge
of the box office.
John Morrisey of the Orpheum. Wal
ter Hof Seely of the william Morris
company, Samuel LoYerich of the Prin-
cess, J. Gottlob of the Columbia and
Van Ness and Frederick Belasco of the
Alcazar are among the managers who
/ have from time to time donated their
houses to these performances. No OBJ
lection is made to the worthy appli-
cants, but the other kind have been
barred. In speaking of their attitude,
Samuel Loverich said:
There is no objection and never has
been any TO legitimate benefits. But the
courtesy has at times been abused, not
by the local organizations, but by these
travelling promoters They put their
show on at no cost to themselves, have
tickets sold all over town, there is a lot
of free advertising and usually a big
attendance. When it's all over you dis
cover that the promoter is the real
cause" of the benefit. He, or some
times she, gets about so per cent gross
and the local organization, which sold
the tickets, volunteered the talent and
worked the performance up to grand
success, takes what is left after paying
the bills.
MANAGERS CHORUS "sHOw ME-
The promoter usually comes around
in an automobile, high hat and gloves,
presents himself at some social func-
ton and starts things. He usually
leaves town with most of the money
and enjoys life while he's here Not
bad, eh2"
So Professors" name may be any
thing in the future, but his nativity
must be Missouri, or his act will be left
off the bill. The managers have cho-
rused show me" because they can't
| rectify any mistakes after Napoleon
has left the box office