Variety (February 1909)

28 VARIETY REPRESENTATIVE ARTISTS REPRESENTATIVE ARTISTS HIT HIT HIT HIT MIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT w HIT HIT A HIT HIT HIT HIT CARL McCULLOUGH Prmnm rn Omy "FOOTLIQHT IMPRESSIONS" THIS WEEK, FEB. 1, LINCOLN SQUARE THEATRE, N. Y. City HIT HIT A HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT HIT m * LOVELY * MAGNETIC AS A BATTERY -fc PRETTY AS A PICTURE FASCINATING * LIVELY * THE MOST STUNNINGLY COSTUMED ARTIST IN VAUDEVILLE—TERRIFIC SUCCESS AT K.-P.'S 5th AVE. THEATRE THIS WEEK, HAVING PLAYED 7 WEEKS AT 6ik AVENUE THEATRE IN 10 MONTHS—-WEEK FED. 8th, GRAND OPERA HOUSE, SYRACUSE, N. Y. GORDON ELDRID N CO TIME ALL FILLED UNTIL JUNE. VOW BOOK- ING FOR BUMMER PARKS AND NEKT SEASON. • • Presenting- th« Biff Scream, WON BY A LEG" APPLY TO TEAT HUSTLER, ■ THE BIO LAUGH. THIS WEEK SHEA'S, ALP. WILTON. | TORONTO. NEXT WEEK BOLTS, NEW HAVEN. J. L. VERONEE IN LILLIAN MORTIMER MAJESTIC THEATRE, CHICAGO. FSB. 8 TWO NEW ACTS IN PREPARATION The Weber & Fields of Vaudeville GORDON AND CC YOU CAN'T GET NONE" ■* .^L^BBJSBBBBJBSBBS* The Big Laughing Hit of the Middle West Now Playing the Orpheum Circuit Iurel^r^fu^AmeTioai^AhiBj^HaTT!^T5o^a7eTar given. Barnokl'H Dogs, Cliff Gordon and others •re also advertised. STAR AND GARTER (U. J. Herrmann, mgr.). —"Give the Chicago boy credit," Al Reeves ar- rived In town with his "Beauty Show." It la bis annual visit. He was greeted by a capacity house Sunday. Every time he comes he tells the audience he is a native of Chicago. As this line ts spoken In the burlesque, "Conology," the au- dience does not take him seriously, but one of these days the other cities he claims as his own will divulge the truth and be will probably have to omit the line. Every time Reeves re- fers to his pet model, Mae Powers, he says "Give the Chicago boy credit for digging up such beautiful girls,'* there is a demonstration In the andlence. That part would be Incomplete without the accompanying remark. The show thia season la as good as last, although Andy Lewis Is missed in the Hebrew part now played by Harry Shappell, whose work In a German character is more convincing. The same mix- ture of comedy scenes and numbers prevail. "Land of Cotton," sung by Joe Manne and Alice Jordan, was an effective hit, as was "Theat- rlcala." a satire in song. Interpreted by Jeane l^nsford, Harry Sheppell and Ed Morris. Mls« Lansfoni is tall, well proportioned, pretty and appeared as a counterpart of Nell Brinklcy, with pos- hertuiffyTiairiuid^sIender^form^iSbe sessed of a good voice of superior quality "and high range. Almeda Fowler played the soubret role with a good deal of discretion and danced In a white gauay gown to the delight of the audience. Adele Palmer contributed a bit of character work as a tough person, and her physique made the comedy side more effective. Al Reeves himself does not appear in the first part or olio. He Introduces himself and the banjo In the burlesque. Reeves Is the best "straight" In burlesque. He can secure more laughs for himself and the ethers than any other person In a similar part. His natural letter and "kidding" of those on the stage as well as the audience are handled with such skill that one not so conversant would offend rather than entertain. He always has something new, linprovlped and otherwise. Ed Morris Is not so liberal In the use of grease paint this season. His expression and facial contortions are his principal assets, and does uncommonly well In low comedy. Morris is very funny at times. Tito costumes are pretty and the girls are mostly nmall and alert. Several are good looking. In the olio appear Burton, Burton and Jordan in a meritorious comedy, musical and vocal nnm- l>or. Aclele Pnlmer and Co. (Including Ed Mor- rl« :ii«l Ben Small) gave "The Iceman" ("The Wise Guy"), and brought much laughter. The veuicle Is s^ful^ofDngn^taJkimTTruiaTlons that It bubbles with merriment. Morris did well In the part formerly taken by Edmund Hayes and others, but be plays It in a spirit in contrast to the others. Ward and Shappell Joked and told stories, some clever and original. Edwin Keough and Co. (added) presented "A Bit of Blarney," a mythical "dream" act, with special scenery and effects. It Is well staged and played by Mr. Keough and Helen Nelson. Al Reeves can be proud of bis organisation. He has established himself In Chicago as a favorite, and as long as he continues to give the pub- lic the same clean, bright entertainment, be will have the support of the better class of theatergoers that frequent the 8tar and Garter. EMPIRE (I. II. Herk. mgr.).—It would be a strict violation of the moral doctrines and law of decency to even attempt to reproduce In print or describe some of the unrestrained ejaculations and alleged comedy substance In the "Thorough- breds." The company has been provided with no material, and as a result, resort to filth. A repetition of the business and dialog desplayed on Sunday afternoon would eventually drive away the desirable burlesque theatregoers. A "sissy." played by Carroll Henry, added to the disgusting atmosphere. It is a repulsive part. ns nil of this kind arc. Harry McAvoy did well In an Irish character, but his legitimate traits were cornealed by his constant participa- tion in suggest iveness during stupid situations. It Is not even sensible suggestiveness. A rickety folding bed is placed on the stage (fancy setting— conservatory backing). Much hilarity is derived at the expense of the bed. The vulgarity is so- uncovered and the offenders so unabashed that it surprises the audience who are nccustomed to the usual moderate "ginger." The sheath gowns, the best in the lot Bhown, are old look- ing and shabby. The other changes are unpre- tentious. The only legitimate laugh In the first part is gained by an unuHually stout girl who ap- peared in tights with Home of the slender choristers. She Is the heaviest girl seen in bur- lesque. Billy Watson's bunch not excepted. In the olio Riley and Winter's dancing is the best thing in their act. Mile. La Toska gave a good contortion exhibition. De Nctte 8Uters danced 1 in unison and Henry and Francis gave a sketch replete with matter for burlesque audiences. Boyd and Veola have a neat singing act. It la refined and well dressed, and secured odd among the rest. Fenncsaey, mgr.).—"New FOLLY (John Century Girls." EPSON'S (Sid Glories." COLUMBIA (W. P. Shaver, mgr.; agent. Frank Doyle).—Diamond Comedy Four, Sawyer and" J. Ei i son, mgr.).—"Morning When answering advertisements kindly mention Variety.