Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-15
Atlantic City
Public Enjoys
Theatre Folk
Whether They Act in New
Plays or just Loaf,
They Are Welcome

ATLANTIC CITY, July l5.-The many
members Of the theatrical profession sum
mefing here are having a lot Of fun talk
ing over happy days spent in this city years
ago. Many Of the present-day stars in
musical comedies and nearly all OF the pres
nctors, that term Including In bygone days
every man or woman who did speciality
OF any kind, dancing. singing acrobatio or
monologue. Quite a bunch Of the people
here at present played In this town score
or more years ago and they tell It now with
giee that all they received for their weekly
wage, n they were team, was twenty
five-and-cakes," the twenty-five meaning
the number of dollars paid to them and
the cakes" their board and lodging. At
the variety theatres, in the old excursion
house district men and women now quite
prominent played as high as six hours
day for that amount OF compensation and
were glad TO have the opportunity of spend
Ing the summer months playing Mt Doyles
Guvernators and the Fortescue Theatre.
The upllft of the standard in the vaude-
Vile business is proved by the raise in sal
aries since the days of variety. People who
played for the small figures quoted now
receive from one to five hundred dollars
week, for virtually the same style of work
as they formerly did, and yet with all this
prosperity they are proud of the days OF
struggle and sit around now and talk Of
the fun they had in those times.
Not quite 30 years ago George NJ Cohan,
who was then n member of the Four Co
hans, was married In this city. The Cohan
quartet was then made up Of Jerry and Mrs.
Cohan the parents; Georgie, who had not
started waving the American flag, and
Josie. who was happily married TO Fred
Niblo for decade and whose death in
New York this week cast pail over the
entire profession.
u-t.-
Making Over of Mrs Matt" q comedy by
James Forbes, was given this week at the
New Nixon Theatre, with Miss May Rob
son as the star. Miss Robson has been
meeting with success in this play In the
wilds of the West and In few large cities
on the Pacific coast, and she made no error
in giving II showing here. even II she
did not make much money The play made
q distinctive laughing hit here and would
have struck the bull's-eye on the target of
public opinion had the supporting company
been little stronger
The story of the play is not alarmngiy
new. 1t is the old theme of successful
business man being unable to lift his hard
working wife UP in the social scale. Hap
PLY, there is no female siren to lure the
husband away from the loving wife, even
though she be n dowdy In appearance and
Mrs, Malaprop in speech The gradual
changing of the wife, played by Miss Rob-
son. so that by herculean effort she can
wear fashionable clothing, and the love-
making Of a spoiled son is about all the
story in the play. but the many quaint
speeches Of Miss Robson as Mrs Matt make
the comedy refreshing and welcome novel.
~. Miss Robson has struck a new vein
Of comedy in this play fully equal to her
past successes, and it will win for her many
new friends.
Three beautiful stage settings carried by
the company received liberal applause on
their first showing.
The fight over Sunday amusements has
been town talk all week, but as yet the
authorities have not made good on their
threats to close up certain OF the amuse-
ment places which persisted in running on
SUNDAY when they were told TO close 1t
Is claimed that theatres and moving-pIc-
ture theatres are exempt from this law,
and the amusement men who were ordered
TO close are wondering why. Both sides
seem to be playing waiting game-and
Sunday will decide which side has the
strongest hand to use when the show.
down comes
Joseph 10. Cohen, manager OF the Broad
way Theatre, Philadelphia, has his family
down here for SIX weeks, but during his
vacation time he Is mapping out many big
things for his theatre next season.
Frank L, Shaw, we'll known TO all theat.
rical men In Philadelphia is a frequent
visitor here and will take a real vacation
OF two weeks some time I'm August
Samuel E. -NIrdlinger. grandson Of
Z. +. Nixon, is breaking into the theatrical
same mere py acting as associate manager
OF one Of the theatres.
Thomas Dougherty and William Barron,
both or the executive staff OF the Broad
Street and Forrest Theatres PhiladelphIa
were among the weeks visitors.
George W. Monroe is still here, resting
up after his strenuous road tour with "The
Passing Chow" and preparing for his New
York appearance In October.
frank W. Darling. an amusement mag
late, who goes in for big things in the pub
lie pleasing line, will be here the greater
portion of the summer.
Walter Kelly, the Virginia Judge" has
been engaged by the Shuberts for next sea-
aon. He is aummering here
George +. Hall. here with May Robson,
was born near 18th and Poplar streets,
Philadelphia, and in his many travels In
the theatrical business has never forgotten
ms native town BOB WATT.