Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-05
Taffy Maiden
Chorus Girls
a Possibility
Scouts Investigate Quail
fications of Atlantic City
Confection Dispensers

ing the 'ntckel-and dime stores, saltwater
taffy factories and the restaurants where
They are In search Of young girls with
possible fancy for stage life, there being
dearth Of available material to supply the
demands for "nerry-merry" chorus girls for
the coming season Chorus girls are scarcer
than munition workers, and IL the demand
is not filled from cities outside Of New
York and Philadelphia the girls who have
been doing duty in musical comedies for
years will be able TO command any salary
they may ask for next season. An unusual
number of musical comedies Of the "girlie-
grille" type are to be sent on the road next
season, the majority of producing man
ayers having a hunch that the public want
the light and frothy style Of entertainment
this year. Burlesque companies, which now
carry from 16 to 80 chorus girls, have
drawn heavily on the supply, II being esti-
mated that at least 1000 girls will be re-
auired to lll the ranks OF the companies on
the three circuits now in existence; tabloid
musical comedies playing In the popular
price vaudeville houses will require n small
army of agile and pretty girls, and with the
big extravaganzas scheduled for an ALL
season run in New York getting the pick
of tho experienced girls many manager
will be compelled to break In new girls.
There has been as much wire-pulling here
by competing managers to sign UP chorus
girls during the last two weeks as at a
nbLlOnhl pTeSluentidl convention.
An unusual number of Philadelphia
actors and actresses have been summertng
here, many Of whom had been lured away
from this city by resorts near New York
in the last few years, When conditions
were bad in the theatrical business II was
necessary for people to be in the vicinity
Of New York city 30 that they could make
a round of the various agencies every day
or two In order to secure engagements for
the coming season New methods have
hean adopted In the booking of vaudeville
acts, personally appointed agents securing
long routes for performers without their
presence in the metropolis, and legitimate
actors and actresses do not have to live in
New York during the torrid summer months
as they are aware of the fact that man
ayers know their particular type and will
send for them IL they need their services
for new plays or old successes. OF course,
there 10 vast army Of professionals doing
the daily posing and parading on Broad
way, but Atlantic City has reaped rich
harvest this summer from theatrical people
who wisely Invested n portion of their win
ter savings In a summer vacation at this
resort
After much discussion on the subject
number OF theatrical people, born and raised
in the Quaker City, have made up their
minds that n city which gave Edwin For
rest, the Drew family and numerous other
stars TO the stage in olden days and later
George w. Monroe, Walter Kelly, Eddie
Wynne, Billy Fields. Harry Fern, Tommy
Grady Joe Mitchell and hundreds of others
should be placed on the theatrical map.
This band OF show people have therefore
agreed that during the coming season, when
registering at hotels throughout the country,
they will place Philadelphia on the hotel
book instead of New York, as Is customary
with actors and actresses.
After completing their preliminary ar
rangements for next season number of
New York managers spent the week here
taking one solid week OF recreation before
entering on the strenuous duties Of the
atricRl season. All of them are more san
gulne than ever over the prospects for the
season opening on Labor Day Reports from
every section OF the country indicate a de-
cided desire for theatrical attractions. and
hundreds of theatres used exclusively for
motion pictures during the last three years
will play nothing but theatrical combna-
tions next season.
few wise managers are delaying the
opening of their companies until the mid
die OF September. claiming that there will
be such q mad rush for coin at the OPEN
ing of the season that the public will
be surfeited and not give all attractions the
amount OF business necessary to make a
tour successful. Quite few professionals
here will not be called away for rehearsals
until the middle of September, with an
will linger here and enjoy the beauties OF
the best month In the year at a seaside
resort.
William Locker. treasurer of the Grard
Theater. is weekly visitor, the nonclosing
Of that house necessitatlng his taking his
vacation In homeopathic doses.
Billy Hart ran down for few days dur
ing a three days lay-ofr OF the vaudeville
team of Marie and Billy Hart. He exhlb-
tied shirt of unusual design, gorgeously
decorated with roses as big as those used
on wallpaper.
Mike Needham. q Philadelphian and the
youngest old clog dancer in the world, Is
spending the few idle days he has in this
city He has met with success In Tango
Shoes and Is re-engaged for that same
vaudeville novelty for next season. He is
accompanied by his wife, professionally
known as Vivian Wood
Joe Mitchell, of Quinn and Mitchell, Is
spending his summer in Philadelphia, pre-
pairing for the teams starring tour in 'The
Funny Mr.. Dooley," but he manages TO put
In wsek-ends here.
Ethel Golden. who maintains a home in
Philadelphia even when she is singing syn
eopated melodies in vaudeville theaters
throughout the county, is here for the
month of August.
Walter Davidson. formerly director of
the orchestra at the Walnut Street Theater
but now located IN New YORK, ts meeting
many OF his friends during his weeks va
cation here,
Desmond Place, formerly OF the Walnut
and Lyric rheaters, has purchased = home
in Ocean City and will spend the balance
OF the summer there
Frank Stroud, assistant treasurer of the
Forrest TheatsF, Is cruising around the
water OF Barnegat Bay during his vacation
time. but expects to stop here next week
on the last leg of his journey home in
order to open that house on Labor Day,
Summering at Ocean City, the quiet resort
across the bay from here. are Charles Wan
amaksF, manager of the Garriek Lynn
Hardy. OF the Lyric and Adelphli Walter
Stewart, OF the Adelphi; Fergus Mecusker,
of the Forrest George Fish, formerly man
ager OF Forepaughs Theater but now
resident Of Clneinnatli James Simpson. a
magnats and William Cane.
assistant manager OF the Walnut Street
Theater.
Louis Lustman, who has led orchestTas
in the Nixon theaters for n years, Is tak-
ing = real vacation OF two months but win
be back In harness In Philadelphia next
season. BOB WATT,
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