Variety (February 1909)

VAR1BTY 29 SAN RICE, through theagency of PAT CASEY LULL I Including DAINTY LULU OECSON N ©*r Miss Beeson It a graceful dancer and makes little work of the difficult ■teps she executes. 8be does triple time with no apparent effort and renders tbe most Intricate steps known In "buck and wing" dancing with tbe ease of a waltser. She Is creating a great Impression at Poll's this week and wins thunderous applause at each performance.—Hartford "Post," Jan. 36, '09. The special feature of the bill, the Lulu Beeson Trio, Including Miss Lulu Beeson, tbe world famous buck dancer, and Ward and Weber, two clever dancing boys, offers not only a splendid singing snd dancing skit, but Is pre- sented with a magnificence of costume, scenery and electrical effect seldom »n here.—Hartford "Times." and Mess. WARD AND WBQER ICC i The Lulu Beeson Trio rushed Into popular favor wltb the audience. The opening scene Is very dainty and well played, Iflss Beeson Is one of tbe best feminine dancers ever seen In Hartford, and tbe work of the boys (Ward and Weber) was creditable.—Hartford "Telegram." The special feature of the bill, tbe "Lulu Beeson Trio," Is "classy." If you doubt tbat Miss Beeson, who Is the champion soft shoe dancer, will pass around a string of medals she wears sfter dancing. But she won't hare to pass them around—you will be conrlnced.—Hartford "Olobe," Jan. 26. r*b. I, Poll's, WOkes-Barret 16th, Keith's, Cleveland; Std, Olympic, Chlosge. Dllna, Jlmmle Rowland, Scott and Wallace, Tbe Fslrburns, Major O'Langblln, Bernard and Hill. LYCBUM (Jack Burcb, mgr.).—Nox and Air In, Great Alfretta, Hall and Colburn, Doc Holland, Klngsmaa Bros. VIRGINIA (J. V. Rltchey, mgr.).—Captain Webb's Seals, Paul La Drew, Marlon Glbney, Seamon and flartelle, J. J. Ray. CRYSTAL (Scbsefer Bros., nigra.).—Pederson Bros., Harry V. Fltsgerald, Davis and Merrill, Baker Sisters, Augusta and Brooks. PALAIS ROYAL (Jos. F. Ryan, mgr.).—Ben- ton and McKenale, Asalea Fontaine, Arthur Craw- ford, Dale Sisters, Gagnler, Healy and Klonder. PREMIER (Cbas. Schaefer, mgr.).—Jack Rlpp. Nixon and Moran, Burdl Bertram, Qua and Marlon Kohl, Bland and Jones, Msble Goodwin, Holme and Schmidt, Rowena LaMee. ASHLAND (A. B. Weldner).—Porto Rlcan Quartet, Rose Le Tyler, Howsrd and Cunning- ham. F. W. Schneider, Sam K. Otto. IOLA (Geo. E. Powell, mgr.).—Leonl and Le- onl, Aubrla Rich, Barlow and Nicholson, The Zlmboon Quartet, and Otto's Wild Animals. CRY8TAL (Sam Schiller, mgr.).—The Drapers, Lottie Wilson, Mexican Trio, The Great Lo- grenla, Norman, frog man. HARMONY (Allen Schrock, mgr.).—Wiley Fer- ris and Co., Melroy Trio, King Harmony Trio, Ash ton snd Earle, Annette Link. OEM (Chaa. Schaefer, mgr.) .—Dickinson snd DaTld, Pete Losse, Andrew and Randall, Evelyn Norton. Bert Henry, Irene Huyck. NATIONAL (Dr. N. Ree, mgr.).—Jackson snd Marrlllo, Rapier and Rapier, Carrie Winner, BUI/ DeArmo, Leo and Sulkey, Tom Kum. BSSBX (Bllhsrs A Lewis, mgrs.).—May (Reno) and Will Reno, Shepherd and 8t. Augman, Kohler and Victoria, Kramer and Wlllard, Helen Tan- gnay. NORMAL (Jack Ryan, mgr.).—Erhendall Bros., Peel snd Francis, Ada Melrose, Weiss and Welas, Herbert Rankin. NOTES.—R. F. Trevellick has been engaged by tbe Western Vaudeville Association as trav- eling contracting agent for 8tate and county fairs, under the direction of Ethel Robinson, In charge of that department.—Gordon and Marx ■tart on the Orpbeum Circuit thla week, their first trip In the far west. The act Is well known In the Middle Statea as a German dialect pair of the Weber and Fields sort, and they are sup- plied with good material.—Vanity Fair Co. has Incorporated at Springfield, 111., with a capital of 66,000, to conduct theatrical business In Chi- cago. The Incorporators are James F. Bishop, Carlos P. Sawyer, Morris K. Lerinson.—Msnuel Romslne and Co., who played for William Mor- ris at,the American laat week, opened %\ Winni- peg for Sullivan A Conaldlne Monday. The act closed on Saturday In order to make connec- tion, by arrangement with tbe Morris office. Wartenburg Brothers, who are announced for the American Music Hall Feb. IS, are also playing the 8.-C. time at present and will probably con- tinue in the west after the Chicago engagement. —The Eight Zlngarros play a return engagement at the Majestic, Denver, this week.—The Gayety Theatre Co.. of Springfield. 111., Is capitalised at $2,600. Those named as incorporators are Frank C. Smith, Geo. S. Burton, L. Vausle Smith.— Chas. E. Miles and J. Clarence Sullivan will build a vaudeville theatre at Columbus, Ohio, to be opened at an early date. NOTES.—The Al Reeves company did not ar- rive in Chicago from Detroit on Sunday until noon and gave the first performance without an orchestra rehearsal. "The Cowboy and the Squaw" company, playing at the Academy, did not arrive until late that night and the audience In the afternoon was dismissed, and the night performance given at nine o'clock. SAN PRAINGISGO By W. ALFRED WILSON. VARIETY'S San Francisco Office. 1116 Vsn Ness Ave. ORrHKITM (Martin neck, gen. mgr.; agent direct).—Wrek 24: Harrison Hunter, in "The Van Dyck," headllner. Howard and Lawrence offered "The Stage Manager." The Harvey Family, wire act of top-notch order. The Chad- wlck Trio in "Wlggln'B Farm." Julia Heme Co. In "A Mountain Cinderella." Murray Sisters. Jewell's Manikins, and the Josaelln Trio, aerial artlBts. NATIONAL (Sid C.ranman. mgr.; agent, S.-C. Archie Levy).—Week 24: A goodly portion of the numbers that constituted the week's bill had already seen service In this territory in tho pant. Mike Bernard and Little Blossom in about the same routine as last season reestablished themselves as principal favorites. The Bearl- Allen sketch, "The Traveling Man." had a hard spot for an act of its kind In closing position, hut did quite well. The Joe Demlng combina- tion, which handled the production, suffers In comparison with the original cast shown here some years psst. "Cres." ' an Illusionist num- ber, proved an exceedingly mystifying proposi- tion. Mile. Vera, a dancer of decided grace, as- sisted by ekes* Lsblne, who lent an element of comedy, won a good ratio of approval. An un- programed wooden-shoe dancer, with an Inter- talning routine of foot work, well above the average, scored one of the hits of the bill. The Grafton Co., In "Locked Out After 8 p. m.," bad a choice place on the program. Gus Bruno, monologlst, wss also on the bill. WIGWAM (Sam Harris, mgr.; agents, West- ern Ststes and Sulllvan-Coualdlne Jointly).— Jeffries In his second week shows no signs of diminishing power as a drawing card. In the face of a fifty-percent Increase in admission, the management has bad to "chase 'em away." Madden and Fltspatrick In the "Turn of the Tide," Mr. and Mrs. Esmond in "The Soldier of Propvllle," Tbe Zello Acrobatic Troupe, Block- som snd Burns, Herbert Cyril, and The Coopers msde up tbe olio. PANTAGES' (Melvln Welnstock, mgr.; agent, Western States, O. S. Burns).—Week 24: Mana- ger Welnstock made his debut as a producer wltb a posing number "Ls Reve des Artists" ("The Artist's Dream"). By a graduation of light effects the poses sre msde to appear and vanish In a perspective of dsrkness. The Clay- ton-Glenn Co. offered a scenic sketch "The Msta- dor." While the act met with a fair reward, tbe poor blending of the serious snd humorous would not allow It to register full value. The Southern Quartet, colored, songs, wss the usual, holding tbe stage with undesirable buffoonery. Rentfow snd Jsnsen showed In "The Second Mr. Fiddle." Leonard Kane, the dancer", was slso on the bill. GAYBTY (George Clayton, mgr.; agent. Bert Levey).—Week 24: This thestre, formerly known ss the Novelty, opened with independent book- ings. In fsce of a severe storm a well-filled bouse wss in evidence, snd a satisfactory average maintained throughout the week. "Murphy in Paris," offered by the Jaa. Poet Co., was a rather disconnected vehicle constructed from vsrl- ous sources, mainly Edmund Hayes "Wise Guy," and afforded little opportunity for principal or support. Some decidedly cstchy snd well-arranged chorus numbers were a saving feature of this position of tho bill. In the olio O'Brien and Darragh had tbe call with a batch of likable paro- dies and some cross-fire material tbat was new. Tbe MacDonald Troupe of cyclists snd Billy Howard, musical comedian, were slso present. BOSTON By ERNEST L, WAITT. VARIETY Office, 68 Summer Street. KEITH'S.—Good bill. Mclntyre snd Hestb, held over; Ward snd Currsn; Montgomery and Moore, snappy, pleasing; Belle Blanche, remark- able Imitator; Reynolda and Donegan, great skaters; Grain's Baboons, funny; Lawrence Crane, marvel trickster; Wroe Trio, exceptionally good dancers: Brown and Nevarro, fine character work. ORPHBUM.—If Mrs, Rrown-Potter bed been anyone else she'd been "closed" Monday after- noon. It was a heavy frost with no one re- sponsible but herself. She seemed to bsve s "grouch." May Tully snd Co., greet reception; Williams and Walker'a "Chocolate Drops," excel- lent dancing troupe; Will Dillon, never better; Svdney Grant, fair; Yamsmoto and Koyosbl, here too often; Flske and McDonough, good sketch; Von Hoff, great face twister; Zsy Holland, violin- lste; Tango and Leo, comedy gymnasts; Blsnche Bslrd, singer, snd Cocla and Amato, all good. GAIETY.—"Girls From Hsppylsnd." Margie Austin, dancer; Monarch Four, Watsons snd Bel- mont, Harry Kohler and Gardner and Martin, In really good olio. PALACE.—"High Rollers," slow moving show. Tbe Davis Pair on ska tee are good; Lee Hlckmsn snd Jobn Jess, clever; Hsttle Mills needs sing- ing lessons; Rose snd Bills, good jumping set. COLUMBIA.—"Tiger Lilies"; show good snd snappy. Will Ward's "devil" stunt ls big fea- ture; May Belmont and Matt Kennedy, very good. HOWARD.—"Fay Foster," featuring Grace Orma, beauty; Three Lucifers, fine act; Cevsns's barrel act. unique; Columbia Four, excellent singers; Ortfclla snd Tsylor, Block and Grossman, Emma Waguer and Elva Grieves, good. In tbe house bill Frank Bush headlined with new stuff; Venlta and Frederick, good wire act; Heumans, blcvcllsts; "Black Dragons." Thompson and Serlda; Al Burton, May McDonald and Rennle Cormack. PHILADELPHIA By GEORGE M. YOUNG. KEITH'S (H. T. Jordan, mgr.).—Show not as strong on the stage as on paper. Bernardl, the Italian protean artist, furnished the feature number with a rapid-change act In three sec- tions. His best work is at the finish. The num- ber in which he makes the changes in view of the audience was also well received. "La Petite Revue" was one of the best liked snd most de- serving numbers on the bill. It ls all ths pro- gram claims, an old idea with up-to-date trim- mings. With several minute* of time wasted in repetition of tslk and comedy efforts eliminated tbe sketch "A 8trenuous Rehearsal" presented by Claude Gilllngwater and Co. could be made into an acceptable offering. It takes so long to get to the reel meet of the sketch thst one grows slmost tired waiting and a poor finish fol- lows. Both ends of the sketch need re-making. Sadie Jansell gave the show a big boost when she aansAred with her imitations of stsge celebri- ties, asjss Jansell looks good from the Jump and grows better. With one or two exceptions, her Imitations were excellent snd she was very well liked. The big laughing hit of the bill wss pretty well down, just leading Howard's Ponies, which closed. Qulnlan snd Mack were the chief merry makers, their specialty "The Traveling Dentist" going with one big, long laugh. Mack's new song "I'd Rather Be a Minstrel Man" met with favor, but It wss the snappy, witty talk and quiet comedy of the pair that registered the solid bit. The Howsrd Ponies and Dogs pnt s good finish with s clever routine of tricks which were well hsndled. This is a first-class, showy act. Franco Piper did his act In "one," tbe spinning banjo tricks being warmly received. Londe and Tilly offered a classy gymnastic act with some well worked out balancing tricks on s lsdder. Tbe act looks new end ls away from others. The Du Ball Bros, were slso strangers here. They hsve a few trick formations in wooden-sboe etepping which are new and put over a fair dancing number. Carroll Johnson was on s bit early with his minstrel offering with the glsd clothes still featured. Amanda Gilbert, fe- male baritone, had all the worst of the position on the bill, bnt she did splendidly with it She has a good voice, sings pleasing songs snd got all there waa to get from the house. La Roee and Lagusts, with an athletic wire act; Doranto, in a musical act, and Kelly snd Mablman, sing- ers snd dsneers, with the pictures, filled out the remelnder of the bill. BIJOU (Ssm Dswson, mgr.).—The singing ls the strongest asset of the "Brigadiers," snd there ls Just snoot enough of It to counterbalance the comedy which ls of Inferior class, the average resch being Just fair. The ssme piece ls used this season as was offered last, It being s two- act affair, labeled tbe second edition of "Mr. Wise of Broadway," which Sheppard Camp clalma credit for. Some changes have been made In the cast ss well ss In the msterisl the company ls given to work with, snd It is a difficult mat- ter to place tbe blame where It belongs. It ls pretty well distributed. Parts of the show wbicb offer opportunity for the comedians to do some legitimate comedy sre given over to bits which have been doing duty since burlesque wss In swsddllng clothes. This Includes the "no bullets," "money changing" and other devices used as "when all others fall." Most of thla comes in the second act, where alto appears some business indulged in by Camp and Harry Weston, which has -every appearance of having been "copped" from. "The Battle of Too Soon.* Camp sgaln appears in the role of a b ur les q ue manager, not a real burlesque manager, for ho has money and gives it up without a holler to Walter A. Wolfe, whoso only real evidoneo of being a villain is his make-up and sub-oeDar voice. There are bright spots in tho talk and business, and were tho second act brought on to the quick-action pace set by tho opening ft would help the show a lot Too much time la wasted with the "awkward arm;" squad, toe results obtained making it valueless as a time killer. In the first act the chorus la given oosao chance and gets sway with it In fine stylo. There ls nothing sboat thst bunch of girls to cause A beauty show to worry over Its laurela, hot they sre there with their figures and they are hard, workers. Tbe business which goes with osv- eral of the musical numbers is also of tho worn type, and this smart bunch of girls could be whipped into a corking good lino with hual- uess equal to tbe music. Weston la chief sup- port to Csmp in tho comedy line, making hie entrance with a "surefire" lino. He got away with a laugh here, but they came harder after* wards. The principal work for the other men was to help out in the choruses, snd they were more successful 1n this than'as comedians. Harry Keeler hes ths straight part. To give Keeler his due, be Is s hsrd worker, too hard in fact, for he yells throughout the show snd It pro- vents his linee being understood. Keeler dresses neatly end no one In the show displays more hu- mor In the show, for Keeler laughs at everything tbat ls expected to be funny, snd his working up of Camp's "Buaay Wussy" number, which la just about on the edge of vulgarity, Is a bit of earnest labor. The honors for the women sre about equally divided between Rosalind M ay and Marguerite Wolfe. The former ls a sprightly active soubret snd Miss Wolfs is the strong card* In tbe vocal line with looks and appearance to help her along. Dora Davis and Violet Borla were also given a chance in leading numbers and did satlafacory work. The program promised what might have been a "cooch r ' number, but tbe neareat thing to it was Just the suspicion of a "wiggle" from two or three of the' chorus girls. Frsncla Cbenault. with Illustrated songs, opened the olio. He bed en assistant who worked from the box, who should have been on the stage, for bla singing. Tom Fisher snd Rosalind May put over a singing and dancing act with some talk which did not sound new. Fisher did a little stepping at the finish which csugbt on fslrly well. CROWD, BAR ant BRUME WORK i i BOLB OIOWK •■• FILLINl U. S. A. 435 Strand, LONDON. W.'C. (Next doer to Gattis) Telephone, Oerard tout. NEW IOVZLTT, THE MYSTERIOUS BIG LADY." HEW NOVELTY. This week Colonial Theatre, Vew York, THS HEW ECCENTRIC COMEDY ACT A REAL SUCCESS. Permanent Address—3S14 Booth Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. AT LIBERTY AFTCBt FEB. 15tH. Gardner, West ■■■ Sunshine Novelty Sketch Artists, introducing "SUNSHINE." Permanent address—84 Elm St., Everett, Mass. NOTE.—This is ths original "SUNSHINE," having used this title for over eleven years. WOOD i LAWSON DANCERS WHO ARE ALWAYS BUSY. Amerioan this (Feb. 1st). LINCOLN SQUA I-. NEXT WEEK (FEB. 8). When onwering advertbemenU kindly mention Variety.