The sun., 1913-11-09
At the Sign Of the S. R. O.---An Old
Time Symbol of Prosperity--- Sometimes

II Was rot long ago that the young
sterS on Broadway used to- look upon
Charles Purunain. who is as much "A
part of WallacH's Theatre as the brown
stone columns in front Of III. facade.
a. one of themselves. He didn't seem
any older than anybody else. Perhaps
he was and perhaps he is as Young as
the next man. But "be tha, as II may
to use the phrase beloved If George
Monroe. il is to him that one turns
nowadays To find out anything concern
inc the palmy days of the drama OH
Broadway. 1t is perhaps after all more
due To his interest IN tn" theatre and
his Intelligent study Of ii than to his
far reaching memory that he il to-day
the authority on the subject.
He was the inevitable authority to
whom TIE SUN Reporter turned the
other day To find out what had become
Of all the old standing Room Only"
signs. Have you forgotten. gentle
reader, when the sign used to be put
out To proclaim the popularity Of this
or that show? Have YOU altogether
forgotten the conviction which fillel
your mind that it mus, be some show
that could sell out all the seats"
But have you seen such a sign lately"
not recall such sign in front Of New
York playhouse for ut least fifteen
wears. About that old custom and how
IL disappeared Mr.. Burnham talked very
interestingly the other day. He said:
"The financial success Of play to-
day is made by word of mouth. The
public who witness it render first aid
the press. second aid. The house on
the opening night may be almost empty
but a successful play is it's own quick
booster.
"Time was when manager felt that
ne must have a crowded house at the
opening He did not want to read in
the papers the next morning that "A
meagre audience witnessed the new play
last night or. "a small hut select audi
ence. &c. He wanted all to see
what a crowd he had and besides he
could put out his sign
Managers used to believe in signs,
and also believed that crowded house
helped the play. had a better effect on
motors and auditorS-and the critics.
They often devoted more space to ad-
ytrtising that their house was full
md consequently the play was great
than to details OF the play. Announce
nents in their ads was one way to
tell the public of the full houses. hut
as seeing was believing they wanted
Il so that he who runs may read and
o. that end employed painted signs to
Inform the passers-by Of the business
they were doing inside.
"In days gone by It was common
Sight to see in front of Broadway
(heatre sign bearing the informa-
t:on standing Room Only The rival
manager went that one better and on
his sign had painted House Full An
other not to he outdoNe had inscribed
.Al Seats Sold, while still another. not |
wishing to be behind In the managerial
new fashion. and not desiring to he
thought an imitator, Informed the pub
lie that there would be No More Money
Taken
These signs became the rage of the !
different managers. and he was consid- |
cred a poor 'piker' who couldn't put out |
Ls sign at least on a Saturday night.
Some managers thought more OF !
Nving such u sign In front Of their |
~ than Of the qual. y of the play. |
.~c sign was placed on view whether
circumstances warranted itSor not. I
fnew one manager who ed on hav-
Ing IN his contract with the theatre
where he was to play that the Stand
Ing Room sign was to bc placed out
side the door every evening at . o'clock,
whether seats were sold or not. The
bsbtt finally became SO acute that The