New York Clipper (Jun 1923)

June 6, 1923 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER 11 REGENT (Lmst Half) The aflcr-piecc staged by Olsm and Johnson, with the assistance of Thornton and King, is one of the funniest things in vaudeville and easily held up the interest of the audience, al- though it is the greatest collection of hokum on the stage. The show is a good one even without Olsni and Johnson and with them it gets into the, "grcai" class. Kay, Hamlin and Kay opened the bill with their exhibition on the hara. the clown of the troup getting bis laughs at will and the others thrilling the folks out front with their spectacu- lar routine of swings and catches. Miaody and Duncan went od second, "but had no difficulty in this spot. Many of the andiencc -were familiar with their work and waited for the p«ir to do bits that tbc audience knew. The girls work so oierptionatly well together that it is difficult to imagine them in any other vehicle. This reviewer would advccatc one change, how* ever. He knows it is the end of the season and all that, but he must rise to remark that the white costumes worn by the girls have lost their original color and are in need of refurbishing or something, probably the latter. Thornton and King, in third place, put over the hokum well and the laughs coming. Al- though the straight has a tendr?:cy to sing flat be gets bis slufF over well arul acts as a good foil to the peculiar style of the comeOian. The act is popular with the Regent audiences. **Shadows.** a dance act with a storr. featur- ing Collete. Blain and company, is crrdited to Francis Nordstrom. For some unknown reason it is progiammed as being written in blank verse, but is in reality rhymed in couplets. The old couple, rummaging through the trunk in the attic, are reminded of their youth by the things * brought to light, each bit carrying Ihem back to a scene of triumph in which the girl danced. The curtains then fall and a young lady goes through the fiance that has just been described- We presume she is Collete Blain. Sbc dances admirably, but ha« one fault. She holds her mouth in a continual capital **0" and this dis- torts her face, a really feautiful face. Olscn and Johnson closed the bill, stopping the show. You can*l expect anything more of any performer and you can't expect anything less of this pair ever. *Nuff sed. C C PROCTOR'S 23RD STREET (LutHalf) Six acts of vaudeville and the cinema drama, "Scars of Jealousy,** ushered in the last half here and made a delightful combination. Vera Calhoun, assisted by an unbilled man, opened the .ihow with a novelty called "The Girl from Toyland." At the outset she is seen in the window of an ivy-covered cottage reading a fairy tale about toyland. We next sec her in the enchanting realm of toyland where, with a real, live jumping jack, she doe* a cute doll dance, after which both proceed to demonstrate their ability as contortionists. At the finish 5he is projected out from the stage on a giant swing for a song. "I Want a Daddy.*'. The novelty of the act. coupled with the attractiveness of Miss Calhoun, put it over for a big hit here. Ergoltt and Herman, a girl and a midget, offered a happy mixture of songs, dances, com- edy and acTotutica, while Bernard and Garry, two clever youths working in a "high brow" makeup, kept the audience constantly amused through their song repertoire and later with their impressictis of stage favorites. Scphie and Harvey Everett offered a delight- ful musical comedietta, "Money." The man por- trays the character of a dollar bill, while the woman symbolizes a gold piece. The dialogue' is brisk and brimful of good humor. It is all centereil around the vicissitudes of Dollar Bill and makes for good comedy situations. Stud- ding the dialogue is a song or two that makes the offering all the more likable. Herbert Qifton was the hit of the show, wow- ing them with his familiar line of travesties on the weaker sex and dazzling the feminine eye with his costume "flashes." Rulcff. Elton and company closed the show with* a delightful terpsichorean offering, fatur- ing ballet stuff, and again demonstrating that they arc artists of first rank in their particular line of endeavor. £. J. B. PROCTOR'S FIFTH AVE. (Last Hmlf) Alchciigh entirely devoid of a name star, the hill here was a rattling good one. Its motif is comedy and song, and consequently it makes for excellent warm weather entertainment. Clifford and Grey proved dynamic openers with a hoop novelty that was sold in a tempo that undoubtedly establishes a new speed record fnr this fcrvnd of entertain men t. Tbcy arc a mixed team of delightful personality, who work at top speed and crowd much into their brief running time. Fi^ a punch finish the man riogs his partner with hcx^ps with a precision that would terrify the cane rack concessionaires at Cr.r.ey island. Don Quixano, the Spanish baritone, did well in second spot with a choice selection of songs. His singing voice has i|uality and volume. His Kent liked numbers were: "Love Sends a Little Girt cf Roseit" and **Soad to Handalay." . Dobbe and Stark were another pleasant feature of the bill, offering a new slant on "two acts," pnrtraying candidate* for suicide which makes for some clever comedy talk. It devclcpA that his wife has run off with her husband, so they decide to do the same. Porter J. White and company duplicated their previous success in "The Odd Gentleman." The plot revolves around a well knoivn Paris actor. His wife is envcted by a dramatic critic. The latter plans to ruin the actor by adverse criticism until he has reduced him to poverty and then entice his luxury loving wife away from him. In order to win back the love of his wife tbc actor murders the critic. A vagabond strolls into tbe gay Parisian cafe, bewilders them with his drollerie* and surprises all by turning out to be the detective on the murder case. When he has the actrr trapped and hear^ the story of his perpccution at the hatids of the critic, he nonchalantly passes into tbc night, adding: "What*s the odds, it was only a critic, he killed.** Tbc role is p«)rtrayed by Porter White, who is ably supported by four others- Hawthorne and Cooke, not comics, kept tbcm in roars with their unique handling of nifty nonsense, while Tom Swift and Mary Kelley again dcrnonstrated the comedy values of their nifty Kkit, "Cum Drops.** Ken Meroff and Marburgers Entertainers, the latter a seven-piece orchestra, were featured all over the rlace in the building, and managed to live up to their importance in a raltlins- good act. The band in an excellent combination. They are using symphonic arrangements for their numbers, which, for the most part arc popular bits. During several of the numbers Meroff is given an opportunity to display some cle\cr foot- work, and when he is not stepping he conducts the orchestra. His Ri'vian dance at the finish brought down the bouse with applause. The Lomer (lirls. two clever young women, closed the bill with a pretentious dancing act. Sandwiched between their dances was a song cr two that gave diversity to their offering. E. J. B. MOSS' FLATBUSH TO CLOSE B. S. Moss' Flatbush Theatre will he dosed for the summer after the last week in June. The house will remain dark un- til ^ September, when it will resume its policy of feature motion pictures and six vaudeville acts for a full week stand. HAMILTON <LMt lUf) The six-act bill for the last half composed a very gcod vaudeville show, which didn't drag for a minute and entertained throughout. It was started by Canova's Posing Dogs, in a nov- elty arranged rc-utine, oonsisttng of posing by two dogs, with mrtion pictures of the poses be- ing set between each one. The Diamonds offered a family affair, consist- ing of mother, father and two sons, judging from the cpening ung. The "father" certainly does not lock as though he was old enough to have sons as old as the two lads in the act. who appear to be about twelve and fourteen, although they might both be over sixteen, for they did ringing and dancing bits. All four are good dancers, the two lads particularly rivalling their ilad in acrchatic and tap dancing bits. They scored heavily. One of the best written and best done sketches. we*ve seen in vaudeville is **A Friend In Need,** by Howard Cmmett Rogers, with Mann Hcliner, Nichclas Joy, Linda Carlon and Elaine Temple in the cast. The plot revolves around the mistaken identity idea, but is dene naturally and the four members of tbe cast do their roles excellently. The plot may be called a bit daring by some, but the manner in which it Is done relieves it of any objectionable fea- tures. They drew plenty of laughs and several curtains at the fini.nh. team rf youthful chaps, who are rapidly coming tr the fore and will soon be known every place a vaudeville theatre of big time calibre is to be found, is that of Murray and Alan. Not only have these boys dandy material in their "Three Thousand Years Ago** song, the num- ber with the feed-bags, ;tnd the ether bits, but in addition they poosess the appearance and the ability to become big time features- The boys do one number in juvenile attire, and a classier pair of youngsters would be hard to find. With a handful of patrons present, they stopped the show and came back for a speech. One can imagine what the results would be were the house full. Dave Seed and Ralph Austin have been re- viewed too often in these colunuu to be spoken of in detail. These two arc always funny and cntcTiaining. The yonn^ lady in tbc offering usiftts in a bit and does very nicely with ii. Corinne and Himbcr. with Sid Scheftd at the piano, were going almg nicriy with their offer- ing, the dancing of Miss Corinne acoring. Him- ber's violin wivk pleating and Scbeftel's piano bits going over, when Hiss Corinne spoiled everything in the dosing number by losing her temper. This wasn't bad enougfa, but she started to bawl out her partner m a voice loud enough to be heard in the rax' of the Imkibc and used language hardly fit for the streets, much less the stage. With everyone working as' hard as possible to keep public opinion of the profession as good a« pouihlc, it ia father regrettable that one must come along and destroy it by shouting. "Back, back— for C sake. Do yoa want me to break my neck.'* No mat- ter what the provocation may have been, a i«al artist would never commit soch an opoi breach in public, during the coaise of an act. The result was that Himbcr kft the stage before the number waa over, and didn't take a bow with the others, and the applause at the finish scarcely amounted to a ripple. G. J. H. FRANKLIN Out IMO Attendance was good on Thursday evening and the show, iudnding the tryouts. moved along nicdj. Borrah Mincvitch was the first of the tryouts and stopped the show witb his hamomca playing. Joe Carroll had a weak monoloftic ia offer. Geo r get t e Harvey, a light-ctdorcd woman, and assisted at tbe piano by another colored wimian, scored with a song cycle, which indndcd *'Eli. Eli." the Hebrew chant. Joe Thomas saxotctle were one of tbe big hits of the entire show. The aaxotettc now include* five men and one girl, the latter being a toc-daDcer of very sweet appearance and personality. They have arranged a good routine of numbers, play acd- lently and can acore on any bilL Walsh and Tayc offered a good small time comedy act. The Uttlejohns were the first of tbe vegnlar bill to appear, displaying rbtnestoacs in their settings and pnutera which dazzled and glittered untfl tbe audieiKe ^i^d with admiration. They brought Btin more ganps at the sensational jug- gling and balancing work they did, Julia Gerrity. assisted by Florence Pollack at the piano, scored heavily with her singing. Misa Grrricy has spent most of her time in cabarets, but is sure of success in vandevilc. for she has a voice and style of delivery -which can't miss. Miss Pollack displays very good ability in her work at the piano accompanying Miss Gerrity, hut should use something more effective than a waltz for her solo. Billy Arlington and company tied up tbc show after keeping them screaming with laughter. Arlington is as funny as ever (no one could be funnier), and is given good support by Eleanor Arlington, C. I. Taylor and Joseph Ward. "Love Steps** proved to be ao nmiMially good dance offering, done by two boys and a girl. While all three are very good dancers, special credit must be given to one of the lads for the wonderful gameness he displayed. He evidently injured his leg early in the act, and although he had to.walk with a limp thereafter, be didn't 4|uit, but kept right on doing legomania, acn^ batic, and knee step* which would be marrelous under ordinary circumstance*- The aadieuce here also recognized. the lad's spirit and the ap- plause swelled in volumes for his bows. Yorke and Maybdle have a great comedy offering, Yorke haring some very original and funny bits. They also stopped the show. Tbe Great Leon and company closed the show with the-r illusions, featuring tbe "fire and water*' stunt, and scored. G. J. H. F. CORWEY COMPLAINT SETTLED The complaint of Ferry Corwey against Doolcy and Storey, made to the National Vaudcvil le Artists complaint bureau, has been amicably settled by William Dooley's promise to eliminate the bit alleged an in- fringement on Corwey's act. The bit con- sisted of expectorating liquor from the mouth and the liquid exploding when it hit the stage. Corwey claimed that he originated this piece of business and has been doing it for several years. STATE (Laat Half) Margaret an<l Alvarez opened the vaudeville end of the bill, which was of unusual quality for three a-oay houses, all of the turns going over very well. Alvarez is skillful and daring in his aerial work, his balancing cm the trapeze being of the highest order. Mar^ret, assisted him ably, uking perilous positions, and acctno- plishing her stunts in a. cute and graceful Erving am] Elwood offered a high class sin^ ing aa in the second spot, both having good vrices that harmonize wcU. Tbe act opens in one and goes to "two^*' for the use of the ptano, more room and rich dApor. After tw* duets, the man sang '*My WiU Irish Rose." revealing a melodious lyric tenor voice, to ex- cellent advantage. The woman did a special **cotnediennc** number aa a maid, later tryinr on her mistress' dothcs, making a change of costnme during tbe song about &ne feathers, etc Tbe closing nnmber waa suitable to the style of act. Barry and Whitledge, tbe man at the piano and girl mm a commcdienoe. gathered a few laughs here and there, socb as the materia] al- lowed. Tbc girl 1^1 "d*^ to her plnmpnesa at first, and the 8ubse«iacnt dtalogne was funny in spots, bnt the girl's Kncs were not alwaya audible in all parta of the house:' Tbe wcakcrt parts of the act by far are the songs. Tbe **WeU'* song is old and fails to get anywhere now. If the materia] waa somewhat better throughout, the girl could probably pat it over that much better and help the offering ac- cordingly. Carle and Inez tnt out their dialogue in front of a drop showing the entrance to the girl's boose. He is of the chattering boob type over whose hod all bints flit pass easily. In dropping hints for him to leave sevcial good gaga were sprung, being that tbcy bad no mote effect cm the confidciit lover than tbcy did on the drop. The girl has a pleasing pcrsosiality and proved herself "p**^^ of potting a. moa^ over to good advantage when slie sang *'Fancy» Nancy Chocy.'* Later she played a itccl guitar while ber partner danced. The latter stayed untQ tbe milkman came and the - girl's father walked down with him on' his way to work. The offering could easily be made vtnmg enough for the big time honsesi. In the next to closing spot Herman Timbcrg, assisted by a man and girl, at timca seemed to fare cotuiflerably better thu he did earlier ia the week. The laner part of tbe act bas been strengthened with a few new lines in place off a story told by Timbcrg, which had tu dind- vantagcs in some respects. (Reviewed under new act). The Amaranth Sister* and Ceenpany closed the show, alternating with dance* and band- balancing and acrobatic stunts. The sisterv proved themselves to be vermatile steppers, and the "company** as flunkeys did the rest in a capable manner filling in the intervals between dances. M. H. S. FIFTH AVE ROOF TO OPEN With the approach of summer at hand. Manager Quaid, of Proctor's -Fifth Ave- nue Theatre, is readying tiie roof garden, which serves as a greenroom for artists playing this liouse during the s umm er months. This year it will have a setting that will represent a park, with natural greens and flora fitting nicely into the scheme and bringing a bit of rustic atmosphere to the Broadway actor, whose twenty-one per- formances weekly give him little, if any, time to spend out of doors. Altbon^ a substitute it is far better than rcmamiDg in stifling dressing rooms between shows. This roof-top greenroom has been a fea- ture of the Fifth Avenue for severai sum- mers. KEITH OFFERS TRAFFIC PRIZE The Keith. Moss and Proctor theatres are offering a prize of $1,000 to tbc patroa of any one. of their theatres who gives the best solution to the traffic problems of Xew York city. This prize is being of- fered in conjunction with the Silver Jubilee of New York Gty. Judges of the solu- tions offered will be prominent mtmicipol ofHcials. BOB HALL ROUTED Bot> Hall the extempore oomcdtan, ha5 been routed up to July of 1924.