The Stage in the Twentieth Century; Third Volume

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1912 Excerpt: ...she scored so great a success that it is an actual fact that she has never been idle a week, save from choice, in the decade that has elapsed since her debut as a star in an important vehicle. Her first salary, large as it was, was the smallest she has ever had, while at this time the only thing that prevents her advent as a Frohman star, or under some management equally prominent, is the fact that her interests in vaudeville as a producer are too great to be abandoned, though it is not to be doubted that this condition is withholding from the legitimate theatre an actress, who would quickly become the head of her profession. fc 4. 4. William J. Davis, for many years a local manager in Chicago, became identified with the amusement business without seeking it. When in railway business he became friendly with the late William R. Hayden, who in 1875 was the contracting agent for W. W. Cole's circus. Later, Mr. Cole became the financial partner of the firm of Grover & Cole, who built and conducted the famous Adelphi Theatre of Chicago. Mr. Hayden was business manager of this theatre from its opening until the following Spring, when his circus duties called him. He prevailed on Mr. Davis to accept the position which he induced Mr. Cole to offer him. There he met the late Jack Haverly, who asked him to join his staff, and Davis went to California for Haverly & Maguire, taking charge of the Original Georgia Minstrels on their initial trans-continental tour. In San Francisco he assumed the business management of the three Haverly & Maguire theatres. While there, he was induced to return to railway service by reason of an advanced position and larger salary, but after three years of such work Manager Haverly again secured him, sending him to New York to ...