Variety (Dec 1905)

» VARIETY. 13 ACADEMY (H. W. William*. Jr., mgr.).—Bam Devere'a Own Company la crowding the theatre this week. It appears In two bright one-act bur- sas. "The Health Resort" and the "MlffUnf —whatever that la. In the flrat. the comedy Sirta were very capably handled by Eddie Mapk, Illy Oswald. John Murray, Joe Nelson, P. P. Cahill and Charlea Bhrode, while Minnie Gran- Vllle, Mabel Delmore and Alice Shrode also have goods parta. John Murray and Mlsa Shrode had scedaltlea which went well, and the big chorus appeared to excellent advantage. In the second •kit Mlaa Granville as "Mile. Fin," a French actress, and Andy Lewis in an exceptionally clever role, that of "Julius Tomaschafbki," car- ried off the principal honors, with the others named not far behind. This also had a number of pleasing specialties and musical numbera. The olio la opened by Sam Devere, who appears as he haa for years. Hla act went well, and the gallery gods and moat of the othera fairly howled at his songs and jokes. Charlea and Al- ice Shorde in a Tot of clever nonaenae follow. The Bijou Comedy Four, with some new and some old aonga, pleased Immensely. The fea- ture of the olio la Andy Lewis and Company, in- cluding John Murray. Minnie Granville and Ma- bel Delmore In "The Queen of Bavaria." This was unique and funny and created much laugh- ter. Keene. the comedy juggler, did a clever act that was appreciated. NOTES.—Harry Davis' new amusement arcade, "Dreamland, ' is in full blast. Located in the heart of the business and amusement district, beautifully lighted and fitted up with attractive musical and picture machines and similar devices, the place is well filled from opening to closing time. v MADAME PITT. Baltimore, !H«I. MARYLAND (F. C. Schanberger, mgr.).—Week 28. A mixture of music, mystery and circus formed the Christmas bill, the first number being Rice and Waltera, acrobatic comedians. In an act called "Down on the Farm," followed by the La Velle Trio, In a high-class musical specialty. Then came the feature act or head liner, "the handcuff king," Harry Houdlnl, re- moving handcuffs, opening locks and freeing him- self almost Instantly In a mos-t mysterious man- ner. Gallagher and Barrett, sidewalk conver- sationalists; Mr. and Mrs. JImmie Barry, in a rural comedy sketch, followed by the mono- logist. James J. Morton, a fellow of Infinite jest, and the great Welson troupe, a quartette of European mld-alr rope and ring performers; complete the bill with the Kinetograph In a new series of moving pictured. Crowded houses. Next week: Josephine Cohan. Wizard and Irene Stone. Fred Nlblo, Will Rogers. Eckhoff and Gordon, Dora Pellatler, Brazil and Brazil and the Kinetograph. MONUMENTAL (Joseph Kernan. mgr.).— Week 28. The third successive Whalen and Martel show, billed aa the "Merry Makers," opened to capacity and has been playing to crowded houses the entire week. The program was above the average and opened with an amusing musical burletta. "Running for Mayor," in which the entire company appeared in songs, dances, choruses and bright dialogue, followed by an exceptionally good olio, by Grace Patton. in aonga and dances; the Exposition Four, In a musical comedy act: Alexander brothers and Brady, singers, dancers and musicians: Sher- man and Fuller, comedy acrobats; Brown and Robinson, monologue comedians; M. J. and Alma Kelly. Parodists; Strouse and Young in operatic selection*, and Amelia Barteletta. toe dancer. They close with a side-splitting farce. "The Mayor's Vacation." In which the entire company, including a well-drilled female chorus, takes part. Next week: "The Ideal's Bur- lequera." MILTON. New Orleans, La. ORPHEUM (Martin Beck, gen. mgr.).—Lillian Burkhart is the headline attraction for week of the 25th, and her "Strenuous Daisy" went to big hands. Wartenburg Brothers are still doing their foot juggling. Their backhand walking was a feature. Cameron and Flanagan can neither sing, dance nor tell jokes. Eleanor Falke sang in good voice and danced g r acefully. The Three Nevarros, In their hand balancing act. are up among the best. The Four Emperors of Music need some one to write them an act. The Plroscoffls offer nothing new In the juggling line. The "Animated Scene**" closed the show. Bill for week of Jan. 1 includes Franz Eb'-rt and company, Wilson Trio. Holcombe. Cu'tls and Webb. Trobn. Pierce and Malzee, Worden and Oladdlsh, and the second week of Lillian Burk- hart. GREENWALL (Henry G--eenwall, mgr.).—Phil Sheridan's "High Rol'ors" drew two large houses to the Greenwall 24. They offer two hurlettas and an olio composing Crawford and Heltzman, who stvle themselves The Mag- netic Spnrks. but their reception was rather chilly. Then there Is "The Great Crane." who has a magical act that Is gilt-edged. Nat Brown, who styles himself "The German Senator." tells some ante-dtluvlan puns. Weseon. Walters and Wesson are still using their "Hotel Repose." They got a finger or so. Mr. Sheridan Is to he complimented from a sanitary point of view. The slrls chansre their tights seven or eight times. Irwin's "Big Show" is underlined for week of Dec. 31. Henry Greenwall, owner and man- ager of the Greenwall Theatre, ma do the positive announcement to your correspondent yesterday that after this season the Greenwall would cease to be a burlesque house. O. M. SAMUELS. New Bedford, Man. HATHAWAY'S (Theodore B. Bavlles. mgr.).— Show opened well Christmas day. Large and ap- preciative audiences. Both matinees crowded, and evening house sold before 8 o'clock. The au- dience appeared depressed during the singing and dancing of Young and Melville, which seemed to continue for years, and Martha Brlggs' dolorous selection of ballads, hut warmed tin amazlnglv w lth the reappearance of Grade Emmett and 2* In "Mrs Murphy's Second Husband." Miss Emmett was presented a bouquet at the outset, and the sketch went finely. Rice and Prevost 1'istlflcd their position as the feature act of the show. Rice's ludicrous falls taklne like vaccina- tion virus. Canrlee. Lynn and Fay danced very Wn, l. As for slneintr. their voices didn't nlwavs- fit In the trios, but the finale song, "Mamie Me- Intyre." was a lively number. The best part of the Mn«1cal Simpsons* instrumentalities was Mr. flmnson's xvlophone playing and drumming. Burke and Dempsey's parodies and conversation Pleased the audience. New vltagraph Pictures. KNOT. Schenectady, N. Y. MOHAWK (Joa. Weber, rea. mgr.).—Week of Dec. 20. Miller'a elephants, very amusing for children; Georgia Clarke, with her Scotch bal- lads, doea not seem to take very well: Emmett De Voe & Co., presenting their aatire, "The Saintly Mr. Billings," was well received; Knick- erbocker Quartet, with their aong and dance act not above the ordinary; Tom Almond, Euro- pean novelty dancer, waa fair; The Xhree Roses, presenting their musical act. were well received; Darraa Brothers, head balancers, closed the show, and they certainly impressed the audiences here aa being clever artiste. MARTEL. Albany, N. Y. PROCTOR'S (Howard Graham, rea. mgr.).— Week cf 26; Chaaslno, with his Shadowgraphy, Is very clever; Eddie Girard and Jennie Gardner in their farce, "Dooley and the Diamond," kept the audience in good humor; Greene and Werner in "Babes in the Jungle" presented a very pret- ty and pleasing act; Relchen'a Doga in their animal act were of the ordinary; Lillian Tyce and Irene Jermon in their singing and talking act are fair; Elmer Jerome, black-face monolog- lst, took well; The Woodwards presented a fair- ly funny "Rube" sketch; closed with the Three Cattanoes in acrobatic stunts, which brought forth the applause of the audience. GAIETY (H. B. Nlchola, mgr.).—At the Gaiety this week crowded houaea prevail, the Rentz Santley Co. being the attraction. MARTEL. Toronto, Can. THE STAR, thia city'a popular home of bur- lesque, haa been doing fine business since the season opened with the Empire Wheel attrac- tion. Some have been above par, othera a little below it. Thia week Reilly and Woods' big ahow has caught the large clientele which fills Mgr. F. W. Stair'a cosy house. The only Pat-Retlly Is as funny as ever. Two burlettas, "Simon Simple and Simple Simon" and "A Hot Time at Reilly's" open and close the ahow. Some of the girls are young, pretty and ghapely, and othera are, "well, we let it go at that." Ira Kessner, Kennedy and Evans, Revere Sis- ters, Reno and Daly do clever work in the olio. Frank Orph and Harry S. Fern In their skit. "Sign That Book," were the candy. Work is being rushed on Shea's Theatre and the man- agement expect to reopen In the near future. HARTLEY. Lancaster, Pa. NEW FAMILY (Edward Mozart, mgr.).^-The show for the current week la an exceptionally strong one, and Monday witnessed the largest crowds in the history of the house. Hundreds of people were turned away by reason of the lack of accommodations. The bill la headed by Omar Singh, who introduces "Lunette, the Flying Lady." The act Is a spectacular affair, lavishly staged and beautifully costumed. John Walsh, an Irish comedian, has an entertaining monologue, and he made a big hit. Lawrence. Jennings and Dale are exceptionally clever sing- ers and acrobatic dancers. Antrim and Peters went well with their skit. "A Tarry at Tank- town," and Mlddleton's Marionettes proved to be a refreshing novelty. The Maxsmlth Duo do some clever Juggling and balancing, and the show concludes with Interesting moving pictures. NOTE.—The Pennsylvania Theatre Co. on Mpnday added the Grand Opera House, Potts- town. Pa., to Its circuit. Louis H. Baker will be resident manager. G. L. WONDERS. Evansville, Ind. BIJOTT (George Selllnger, mgr.).—This house opened 24 to S. R. O. business. The bill la good. The Kltamura Japs, acrobats, are headllners on the bill. They do some really wonderful stunts. Count De Brunt Is offering some new tricks on the bicycle. Ethel Robinson and Maud Muller are unusually good singers. Klein and Clifton do a fine song and dance turn. Moving pictures conclude the performance. ROBERT L ODELL. Troy, If. Y. PROCTOR'S THEATRE (W. H. Graham, res. mgr.). —Crowded houses at both performances; the bill offered Is clean, clever, full of laughter, sweet nrasta and of a character pleasing for chil- dren. "The Other Fellow," by Joseph Hart and Carrie IV Marr, In a medley of singing and danc- ing, and Is an attractive act. Paul Barnes, sing- ing and talking comedian, won much applause by his artistic work, fc.iss Busse and her trained toy terriers is a star number; Mallory Brothers, Brooks and Halllday furnish fifteen minutes of varied musical entertainment of a high order; Carson Brothers perform some remarkable ath- letic stunts: Romo Snyder is a dainty comedienne and captured her audience by her excellent work: Hanson and Harris, comedy acrobats, are very f tinny: as usual the motion pictures add greatly to the bill. ROYAL (W. H. Buck, mgr.).— Transatlantic Burlcsquers are receiving on a large scale with the presentation of "Pirates of Panama," a musical extravaganza in two acts: It offers an attraction which would do credit to any first-class house. Many well known vauder vllle artists Introduce their specialties during the action of the extravaganza. Battling Nelson Is with this company and appears twice dally in three-round sparring contests. J. J. MALLEN. Lawrence, Mass. COLONIAL (Fred Lees, mgr.).—The Christmas hill at this house Is playing to full benches. The musical and spectacular phantasy, "The Girl in the Clouds," Is a ticket seller, aa are Adolf Zlnk. the Lilliputian comedian. In hla biograph novelty sketch, and Barton's ten educated ponies, which are particularly pleasing to the children. The remainder of the hill: Billy Klncald in a comedy juggling act: Bertlna and Brockway, contortion- ists and dancers; Miles and Baymond In the comedy, "The Baby In the Cradle," and Taylor Holmes, monologue artist, all are very good. For next week Manager T*ees announces as a leader the KItazanhal Japanese acrobatic troupe, three weeks on this continent. NOTES.—Work on Keith's new theatre building In I/owell. Mass.. will he started In a few weeks. The site and house will represent an Investment of $500,000. The Castro theatre, Fall Blver. Mass.. has just been completed at a cost of $70,000 and will ho opened January 1st l>y the Casto Theatre Company, Al. Haynes, manager. a clown and skeleton in contortion act take the place as second; no name given. Attendance to capacity. SPOT. Milwaukee, Wis. Geo. W. Rlfs's Yankee Doodle Girls are hold- ing the boards at the Star Theatre this week with a burlesque entitled "Mlsntable Insurance." The situations are amusing and the aatire on life Insurance methoda la being well received. Geo. Guhl and Jack Magee. aa Jacob Stahl and Mose Lightout portraying the grafter up to date are deserving of especial mention. The songs are catchy and up to date and are well rendered by prlncipala and chorua, the latter well costumed and pleasing in appearance. In the olio Etta Victoria, a contortionist, doea some atunta that please the audience, and Del-A-Phone is being well received. The Baker troupe do a sensational bicycle act. The whole closing with a burlesque entitled "A Trip to the Hippodrome." The com- pany la worthy of full houses for the entire week. Next week's attraction, Baltimore Beau- ties. The Crystal presents a bill this week which should prove a good drawing card. De Velda and Zelda are doing some difficult acro- batic and wire balancing feata, one of which la for Zelda to walk a alack wire while one end ia held in De Velda'a mouth. The Ramsey Sisters have a musical monologue in which they intro- duce some new and novel features. This house is receiving a good patronage this year, which it well deserves. The Britt-Nelson moving plo- turea have returned to the Academy this week for a few daya and are hanging out the S. R. O. sign, aa they did two weeks ago. H. W. WATERMAN. Wllmlnsrton, Del. OARUIi K fW. L. Dockstnder. mirr ). Henry and Alice Taylor's shooting act scores heavily, nnd they are the headllners. Rice and Elmer, Fagan and Byron. "Dresden Statuettes." Mar- low. Plunkett nnd Company. Arlington Fou r , and kinetograph. Woodward's animals canceled, and Louisville, Ky. HOPKINS' (Wm. Relchmann, rea. mgr.).—The headline attraction of thia week'a bill Is Franc Ebert and Co., who present an entertaining sketch entitled "Dan Cupid," which made a pro- nounced hit at the opening Sunday and bids fair to prove exceedingly popular. The Vernon troupe, consisting of five xylophone soloists, pre- sent an exceedingly good turn. O'Brien and Buckley have a laughable act, aa haa Al. Carl- ton. The Rooney Slstera proved one of the real hita of the bill, aa their act fully deaervea. Don and May Gordon, comedy bicyclists, furnish a clever specialty; and Suale Fischer, vocalist, shared well with the others. Next week, Leslie and Dailey. Bellmann and Moore and others. BUCKINGHAM (Whallen Bros., props, snd mgrs.).—The Jolly Grass Widowa delayed by a wreck outside Indianapolis arrived too late for matinee, but opened Sunday night to a crowded house and presented one of the best shows of its kind seen here this season. The olio is very good and namea Bush and Gordon, Slmona and Burkhardt, Thompson and Laurence, Pinard and Walters, and the Girl in Scarlet. Next, Wash- ington Society Girls. ARTHUR STUART. Newark, N. J. PROCTOR'S—The house is dark at 10.30 P. M. Smaun Sing Hippo, the diminutive Hindoo, la featured aa a recent Hippodrome atar. (NOTE. —Newark la nine miles from New York.) De- spite thia the midget ententainer amuses. The balance of the bill: The Nicols Sisters, the. I lack-face serio-comics; A. O. Duncan, ventril- oquist, with some new nonaenae; Weston and De- vaux, musical comedians; Alfonso Silvano, skilled balancing acrobat; O'Brien and Havel, In their side-splitting sketch called "Ticks and Tacks;" Carter and Blue'ord, singers and dancers, and the pictures. WALDMAN'S (Wm. S. Clark, mgr.).—The Rice and Barton extravaganza com- pany holds forth at this popular house. The show is pleasingly arrayed and while some of the burlesque business Is not new, it is all well worked. "A Night at Coney Island," the program name for the burlesque, is In two parts, and Intermingled with the comedy la quite a lot of singing and dancing of merit. Contributing to the olio are Bert Baker, come- dian: Bertha A. Hollenbeck, singer; Lemmels, Monahan and Nolan. In a minstrel act; Gold- smith and Hoppe. musicians, and Renzstta and Larne. acrobats. NOTES—Charlea E. Blan- ey's "Mr. Blarney of Ireland" waa enthusias- tically welcomed on Christmas Day upon Its Initial performance, nnd the Indications are that the newest Blaney composition Will be a bigger hit than "Across the Pacific." Flske O'Hara (George Flske), leading man, acquitted himself very creditably and promises to make Chauncey O. and A. Mack hustle to retain their honors as singing comedians. Mr. O'Hara appears to be a natural romantic singing comedian. Miss Paulina Campbell terminated her stage career on Chrlstma3 morning by her marriage to Thos. J. Kennedy, of New York. The ceremony took place at St. Pauls Episcopal Church and the bride was attended by her sister. Mama Wig- gins Campbell, while Jack Hennlngs acted as best man. Everybody but the groom were mem- bers of the "Merry Buriesquers." Upon the'r return from Washington Mr. and Mrs. Ken- nedy will reside In Newark. Lew Dockstader and his merry crew are at the Newark Theatre. The minstrels are bigger and better than ever, and If there la any particularly noticeable im- provement It la In the dancing done by the black-face artists. H. M. K. Paterson, N. J. EMPIRE (A. M. Bruggemann, mgr.).—This house was filled to Its capacity at both per- formances Christmas Day. the management being forced to turn people away. The show war- ranted the good attendance, for it is not one of those good in spots. Every number is up to the mark. LeRoy and Clayton, in "Hogan of the Hansom." kept the audience in a roar of laughter from beginning to end. Harry LaMarr. It Is needless to say. made a hit. Hallen and Fuller presented their new sketch, entitled "A Morning Plunge;" .Tas. F. McDonald, artistic singing comedian and raconteur, rendered in an attractive way a hudget of new sones and stories. Others who added s-Mce to the bill were Newell and Nlblo in a refined musical act: Hay- man nnd Franklin made good, while Hathaway and Walton showed themselves to be expert wooden-shoe dancers. The show Is brought to a close with a new lot of kinetograph nl'tues. BIJOU (J. H. Rowley, mgr.).—'The Co- lonlal Belles" are meeting with great success nnd good business. The performance commences with the musical melange. "Down on the Rahv Farm," a particularly funny sketch In which there are a number of good musical number- A feature of the show was the pictures of the Brltt-Nelson fight. They are lifelike and show the ringside and many of the scenes and IncI- dents that preceded the battle. The burlesque which closes the show cornea up to ths average and many humorous bits are introduced by the comedians of the company during the develop- ment of the plot. Week of Jan. 1, "The Cali- fornia Glrla." FAMILY (Morris Slm»).—Good business haa reigned at this popular little play- house and is looked for during the balance of ths w*ek. The special feature is the midnight comedy act by Robinson and Grant, being direct from London, according to the progtam. Their funny antics greatly amused (he audience. Pierce and Opp are certainly two funny Dutchmen, and created roars of laughter. Others on the bill were Doll and Burden in an act Including music, drawing and club swinging: Albert Newhoff, the boy tenor, singing, and Josle Allen, the cowboy girl, the moving pictured closing the show, as usual. Waterbury, Conn. JACQUES (W. J. Fltspatrkk, mgr.).—The hoi. Iday bill at thia house ia the longeat of the sea- son. The feature act ia "Motoring," by Harry Tate'a English players, and served to amuse the large attendance of the week. The English at- mosphere is a novelty in local vaudeville and its natural comedy waa amusing. The Four Sea- sons, a distinct novelty, waa refreshing, as the act is well costumed and the young ladles can sing. The settings are also In accord with the name of the act and proved a relief from the dingy special dropa usually carried by acts which come here. Sam Collins has an alleged mono- logue, which he tells how easy It la to do. No one will question the eaae after hearing Sam. Hla dancing was fair. Shedman and hia doga took the place of the Nelaon Comlquea, who failed to reach Waterbury. The act went well. The three Slstera Camara did a head balancing act of the hair raising order which pleased, for their work was clean cut and comedy good. Fleurette De Mar and Phil Ott preaented one of Joe Hart's old acts. The sltuationa for fun mak- ing waa not taken full advantage of, the team evidently trading on their names for recognition. Nlbhe and Bordeaux as comedy entertainers made good, both of the team having good, clear voicea. The electrograph rounded out a very pleasing bill, and the patronage showed it waa appreciated. NOTBW.—It ia rumored that the Shuberta are trying to gain control of the Poll theatre here to run as an Independent house. Local theatrical men profess Ignorance, but the deal Is being made with 8. Z. Poll In New Ha- ven. ARTHUR H. McKECHNIE. Fall River, Mass. SHEEDY'S (C. E. Cook, rea. mgr.).—80: The hea.inner week of 2o Is graceful little A met a, nnd although not deserving of being among the headline artists, she Is well worth mention. Har- ry LeClair and his impersonations easily won success, especially with that of Mme. Jaune- acheck as Meg Merrilies. Howard and Bland presented their sketch, "The Strange Boy," which was very poor; the only thing saving them was Bert Howard's clever piano playing. Or- vllle and Frank In their acrobatic turn did some clever stunts and may be considered among the best in their line. The balance of the ahow in- cluded Mme. -fctrakosch. Willie Gardner, akato- rial dancer; Coin's acting doga; the Qulgley Bros., and the Cameragraph; fair ahow to 8. R. O. NEW BOSTON (Chaa. Schleslnger, mgr.).—Week 36: The New Boston theatre, for- merly the Caato, opened Christmas day with Nellie Hartford's Katago Burleaquera and scored a big success. A very funny skit entitled "Ia Marriage a Failure?" was produced and scored roars of laughter. The olio is very good and consisted of the Demacos on Roman rings, and the Spalding Bros., acrobats, who were also very good. The company as a whole is very much to the bad. S. M. SAMUELS. Seattle, Wash. SEATTLE (John Cort. mgr.).—The Jolly Glrla Burlesque Co. holds forth at this theatre week of Dec. 17. They open with a comedy sketch entitled "An Honest Politician," giving the com- pany a chance to prove their ability. They have an olio of four turns, Including Geo. T. Davis, descriptive singer; The Lassard Bros., acrobats and equilibrists; Misses Melville and Rosale, talking and singing act, which Is very good. Their feature act Is "Glorlne" and the original "Radium Girls." produced by Harry Clarke. It Is a very pretty and effective act The charac- ters In the closing burlesque are the same as the opening, but the scenes are laid In Japan In- stead of America, as the first burlesque is. giv- ing them a chance to use pretty costumes and scenery of that country. Next week Innocent Maids Burlesque Co. STAR (Melvln G. Win- stock, mgr.).—Week of 18: The La Monts, nov- elty musicians: Peter Dunsworth, popular bari- tone singer; Billy Hlnes. vocalist and dancer: Annie Abbot, the Georgia magnet, a woman of mysterious magic (clever act); Mr. and Mrs. Robins, in a one-act play entitled "The Counsel for the Defense." This act Is above the average of the cheaper theatres; closing with the Star- aseope. ORpHEFM (E. J. Donnellan, mgr.) —Week of 18: The Coderaa. acrobats (fair); Hul- len and Rogers. Dutch comedians; Harry Cllve, mystifler; Loraine, comedian; W. H. Stetson. song illustrator; Walters and Chadwlck. king pins and comedy (very clever act); closing with the Orphsumscops. PANTAGES (Alex Pant- ages, mgr.).—Week of 18: Bennett and Sterling, laugh producers; Arthur Elwell, baritone; the two Plnards. Eastern acrobatic wonders (feature act); Camllle Morell. the vital spark; Davis and Everson, comedy sketch. "The Southern Quar- tette"; concluding with the bioscope Detroit. Mich. TEMPLE (.Tas. A. Moon, mgr.).—Frank D. Bryon'a "American (Jlrls." .Tas. T. Dolan and Ida Lenhar presenting "The Wire Tapper," Clarice Vance, Clifton Crawford, singing come dlan; Keeler's Imperial Japs, the Wllt<>n Broth- ers, novelty bar act: Csborst'a dogs, the Majestic Duo. and the kinetograph. Good attraction, good business. AVENUE (Frank Drew, mgr.)— The Imperial Buriesquers, presenting a musical comedy in three acts. entitled "An Eye Opensr," consisting of sueh well known artists ;i<- Leban Washburn, Pauline vianon. Crawford and Mnnnlnc Jennie Lamont, l*>w Palmer. W. .1. Evana and the cupper Comedy Pour. Goou attraction, good business CRYSTAL.—Mack * Elliott In "The New Minister." bv C. Hor- wltz: Tom Ffefron; El B. and Rolla White, comedy athletes; Ge-irg*» W. Evcrs. comedian. Paul LnCrolx. Juggler: Oliver Wllber, Illus- trated songs, and the klnodrome. Good show, good business. JNO. A. WEBER