Variety (September 1919)

AND SHOW REVIEWS - - iiSBrown, Gardner and Brown. Songs ud Danceu. IS Mins.f Full Stage. American Roof. Two men and one woman constitute -this act,'which appears good at present and will undoubtedly improve later on. As the drop raises the two male mem- bers render a ballad selection, which is not essential with one of them play ing the piano. The other member-then joins her and offers some modern dancing. The piano player then ren- ders a comedy number, followed by ^ tome more dancing by the other couple. Two changes of costume are made by both dances. Providing the piano player continues with his pres- ent work, the act should find no trou- ble in scoring fairly well. Very good turn to precede intermission. "'■JSwajrta and Clifford. W$ Mine; One. ^•;^ppmedy Talk and Songa. >, American Roof. . "Here is a man and woman combina- tion that will undoubtedly hit the big time before many days are over. The woman is handsome and shapely, while the man plays a Jewish character, de- livering rapid fire jokes that can't help hit the mark at any house. The male member is recently out of some bur- lesque show.- A change of costume is ide, but it is not essential. If laughs, My'ause and whistling by the audience ",*j£y value, here is an act that can make them do all three from start to Creighton and Stiam. . Comedy Talk and Songs. 12 Mini.; One. American Roof. Man and woman, who will have to m- -■•''• brace up if expecting to continue. Fol- !': f lowing ''spoony" songs the couple take p'^: 'seats, rendering like numbers, none of !0£f/ ; which aroused much attention. Act needs material. M-ldred Rogers. Revue. Mines One (Special Drop). ,RWith a nice quartet of dance offer- ings young Miss Rogers should al- iM-ways find work at the big-small time ; houses. Entering from a special drop rendering a number anent her future routine, she proceeds with four Ldsnces, complete change for each. Hss Rogers can't help but come true form with a little rehearsal treat- ment. Mack and Veimar. Comedy talk and songs. JMl8;:Minsi One.' ' ■;t '-. <£-. American. |||j|p Mack and Veimar, man and woman, have the qualifications to keep work* m$% i ^ ne starts by attempting to play on a violin when he enters and in- terrupts, imitating a drunk, present- ing her with roses. Following a little l^rjcomedy talk he renders a prohibition r number that stands out. He then as- t^'sumes a sober attitude and offers an- 'M other selection assisted by her at the ■SEpiano. Very good turn at present. By Mding some exclusive comedy talk e couple might find a way for the time. Sandifer and Brogsdale. Comedy Talk and Songs. 17 Mini.j One. American Roof. . H : § ; , Sandifer and Brogsdale are a male -i^ colored combination that should keep ■working at the smaller houses. Open- ff^-tg in "one" conveying the impression the audience they are on a ship gat' 0 nn ' n 8 t0 Mississippi, the couple offer "■'-.(ical Southern songs. Subsequent to 4r imaginary arrival they do com- tc8y talk and dances, the smaller one shouldering the greater part of the He also does Bert Williams' poker game well, smaller houses. Very good for the PALACE. Music (of a kind) predominate! this week on the Palace bill, with Ted Lewis and his Jazs Band, held over from last week, closing the program with a bang, and Jay Gould end Flo Lewis In an elaborate revue In the next* to-cloBlng position. Charles King, and his new act, a Lawrence Schwab production, were on Just before Inter- mission, but this showing dragged a little and did not get the hand this young man la In the habit of expecting. The dances and songs are rather draggy. The girls' In his support throw themselves Into the spirit of the thing with considerably more gusto than does King himself, but there gets to be an expectedness about their coming up through the grand piano that detracts from the offering's value. The act la called "Dream Stars" and was written and staged by Hassard Short In King's sup- port four girls appear, Una Fleming, Lucille Cbalfonte, Alleen ape and Marie Hoilywell Helen McMahon and Sam Diamond opened Ike show with their songs and dances, Diamond and Bthel Rooeevere getting the biggest results with the doll number. Lou Reed and Al Tucker followed, pleasing moderately with their fan- tastic violin playing. Ed Gallagher and Joe Rolley have too much old stuff In their military travesty, stuff that has made the A. E. F. smile for months, but they tickled the risibilities of the house Just the same. El Brendel and Flo Burt, in "Waiting for Her," only provoked mild amusement till the man's clothes at the end began coming apart This brought down the house, but is really the least thing he does. Excepting this stunt, Brendel 1b something ol an arttst "The Runaway Girl," in which Mies Lewis and Mr. Gould appear, is an elaborate produc- tion staged by Hermann Timbers. There are plenty of girls, gorgeous costumes, attractive songs, and amusing conversation, to say noth- ing of four elaborate sets. Gould 1 first comes on as a chef and gives a hint of what's coming, in full stage, which plaeed them on the register list Crelghton and Btamm (New Acts), were No. 4, and must have been happy when the work was over, as the bouse was cold. Brown, Gardner and Barnes (New Acts) preceded intermission. They have a classy little danc- ing turn. Morgan and Gray (New Acts) fol- lowed Thursby, then Swartt and Clifford (New Acts), while King and Brown, acrobatic eae- legged combination, closed the show. K£IWS~PHILA. Philadelphia, Sept S. The new season opened moat auspiciously this week, Jammed houses at both perform- ances being in evidence with hundreds turned away at both shows. A new scale of prices wont Into effect this week with the top reach-' lng $1.50 Including the war tax and the de- votees of the two-a-day style of entertain- ment crowded the box-office. It la likely that the house played to the biggest receipts for one day in Its history, excepting, of course, when three shows were given. Three could easily have been given today, for with the actors' strike preventing the opening of the two legitimate theatres scheduled to start their season, there was nothing but vaudeville and motion pictures left for entertainment and the weather man helped things along by ureatasrlng showers day and evening. As might have been ex- pected, the show wag a riot from start to finish, with hits scattered in several spots that gave the entire bill a fine average. Of course, Belle Baker carried off the chief laurels. There isn't any of the single singers that occupy a warmer spot in the hearts of PhUadelpblans than this girl. It makes 111- the difference whether she uses old songs or new, her hits are always the same. As usual she has some new ones and gets the same big results. After she bad exhausted her reper- toire of new ones, the house began calling tor some of the old ones and Miss Baker very kindly obliged with one hit after another until she was forced to stop through exceeding the time limit Hiss Baker stays over a second week and if business holds up the way it IF YOU DON'T ADVERTISE IN VARIETY DON'T ADVERTISE and later he and Miss Lewis and Hector Gold- sptnk have an amusing trlolog that leads up to Miss Lewis' first song with the chores. Tbe turn went well. ' FIFTH~AVENUL The Fifth Avenue not only packed them In seven deep Labor Day, but kept .them packed. In though the show was no more than an average bill. Jerome and Newell opened with their Chinese Instrument stunt and their" acrobatics, and Anthony came next whistling and playing his accordion. Alleen Stanley offered a pretty little singing tarn accom- panied by a pianist J. C. Mack and Co. in their "Mother Goose" specialty, "Mother's Boy," were the applause bit of the evening. The Weekly, a news picture selection, broke the speaking acts apart in the middle. - The pictures were followed by Marie Burke who sang one song to an accompaniment of pic- ture illustrations that were singularly well posed and attractive. She met with a hearty reception from the audience and was recalled several tunes. Several floral offerings also went over tbe footlights to her, marking Miss Burke's return to the theatre, after a vaca- tion. Ben Burney with his violin, and A. Robbins and Co. with their imitation of various musical instruments followed in that order. Burney haB several imitations in Ills routine ■ and rather killed off parte of tbe Robbins act, though it got over despite this handicap. 'Wellington Cross went far less well than usually, but Jim and Marian Harklns with their talk about other members of the show made him seem a good deal more popular than he was while on the stage. W. Horlick and tbe Scrampa Sisters closed the show with a rattling, swift moving dancing act AMERICAN ROOF. Considerable drop in attendance last Tuesday evening. Aside from Leddy and Leddy, the first half of the bill did not show any pep, with the second portion making up for it 8warU and Clifford (New Acta) stopped the show, and Dave Thursby, opening after inter- mission, ran a close second Musical Christies, man and woman, opened with two musical Instruments, followed by doubling upon a xylophone and exited to fair applause. San- difer and Brogsdale (New Acts), colored, were No. 2 spot, followed by Leddy and Leddy, the latter two being the first act on the program to secure the favor of the house. Subsequent to rendering a ballad selection off stage, their tramp appearance when entering brought laughs from all sides of the house. Comedy talk la "one" Is followed by acrobatlo feats started this week. It looks like a record for this girl. Several new acts were on the bill and made good. One in particular being a dramatic sketch, called, "Wild Oats," presented with Klngsley Benedict and Edward Wade as the principals. Dramatic sketches have been few and far - between since last season and this one not only fitted la nicely in tbe bill, bnt made good on Its merits. The principal char- acter Is a dual role played In excellent fashion by Mr. Benedict, who, according to the pro- gram, is a screen favorite. If be comes from the film world, he is welcome In vaudeville for he plays his roles with expression, feel- ing and a thorough understanding of his work, handling strongly dramatic lines and business affectively, and making his comedy points score. Mr. Wade gave excellent sup- port and the sketch made quite a good Im- pression. The big comedy hit as usual, was "Rube- vllle," which held the stage almost a half hour and held up the pace all tbe way. There appears to be several changes In the personnel of the cast bnt the principal roles are in old hands, and are given the best of treat- ment "Rubeviile" Is by far tbe best of the rural comedy sketches produced In vaude- ville the past year or two and was as before one of tbe real solid bits of tbe bill. The Arnaut Brothers, was another act which proved an excellent repeater. These boys crowd, a lot of quiet comedy into their musical work and acrobatics and had no trouble get- ting their share of the returns from the house. The whistling finish still remains a big laughing hit and is splendidly worked. Marie and Ann Clark injected plenty of laughs with their character comedy sketch, which Is almost as nonsensical as the title they have selected for it The girls get off to a Hying start with a corking good laughing line used by one of the two, who occupies a seat in the audience and from then on It Is pretty plain sailing. The Clark Bisters made them laugh and made their exit in a gale of yells and ap- plause with a funny bit of business in which a couple of the stage hands took part Billy Glason told a lot of stories, some old and some new, which, with tbe aid of a couple of comedy songs put him In right with the house. He finished with a cleverly handled bit of verse that got him an extra hand. Glason seems to be using too many Jewish stories, but has some good ones and tells them well. On an early spot were Ben and Hazel Mann, a dandy little singing and talking act that scored very big. The fellow works along "nut" comedy lines, but far enough away from many of the othsrt to make bis work stand out and he was very well liked. The girl is an excellent helper, sings a couple of numbers and the team could easily have held down a later spot They were well placed In this bill, however, and did a lot for the early half of the show. Willie Hale and Bro. got over better than the usual opening act and tbe showy dancing of the Borkln Russian Troupe put a corking good finish to a very pleasing show. • ORPHEUM, SAN FRANCISCO. Ban Francisco, Sept 8. The Orpbeum has a good bill this week, with singing and the fair sex predominating. It contains a trio of single-women turns with appropriate light comedy in relief, and is al- together nicely suited to Fleet Week. The business has been capacity. Frequently there has been standing room only. "Putting" It Over" proved) to be a lively entertainment, with soldier boys In female attire providing good comedy with their chorus girl antics. The offering finished up a decided hit Lloyd and Christy, in the next-to-olosing position, registered strongly. Lloyd is using the same routine as when with Avellng, and Christy proved a good partner. The routine, however, is a bit familiar here. "Skeet" Gallagher and Irene Martin were the best liked on the bill. They are a clever team with good talk. Each has a first-class comedy song. Combining their engaging per- sonalities and their ability to dance, they succeeded In stopping the show. Their auto bit used as an encore, also scored big. Madame Marguerita Sylva duplicated her routine, the opera Btar eclipsing her last week's success. The good showmanship dfsplayed in her talk preceding the song numbers added greatly to her vaudeville value. La Ber- nlcla and Co. followed her, and her clever, jaizy efforts were in marked contrast to the preceding turn if anyone as dignified aa the prima diva can properly be referred to as a turn. She scored « substantial hit Estell De Shon and Eula Howard Nunan, In second position, were well received. The singer has an excellent contralto voice, and the other filled in acceptably at the piano when her partner went off to make a costume change. The act filled 18 minutes, which seemed too long a time. The Clinton 8tsters opened rather quietly with Interpretative dances, for which many pretty costumes and drops were employed. Jack Josef fu. HIPPODROME, SAN FRANCISCO. San Francisco, Sept 3. The Hippodrome show this week, barring a section of the bill, provided entertainment that was fairly well liked here. The Morris Sisters opened with danefcM of the classical kind and got away with it The girls are pretty and make a number of pretty costume changes, but they need better routine, especially at the finish. In which only acounle of girls appear. Mossman and Vance were a pair of nifty, well-dressed chaps who displayed ability as dancers. They sing too much for the best results. "The Three Beauties," with a low brand of comedy and In spinster make-up, scored tbe show's hit. They sing quite well Tbe Fondelll Trio closed the show satisfactorily with an acrobatic turn. Lalllta Ward Davis gave rhyme readings from famous authors, Including a recitation of "Old Glory" and some flag waving. This last got the applause. The previous recita- tions got over fairly well. Miller and King got laughs with talk and comedy singing, scor- ing the second applause hit of the show. Jack Joscptis. PANTAGES, SAN FRANCISCO. San Francisco, Sept 8. Pantagee this week has a well-constructed bill with a goodly measure of comedy, includ- ing acts above the average. "Hello, People, Hello," with Al Prince and Adele Jason, was an attractive offering with special settings, good costumes and clever principals. Hiss Jason and Prince and a good girl classical toe dancer threw so much value into this act that it stood way out above the average of other girl offerings seen here this season. Corlnne Ward and Arthur Howard started poorly with a lengthy line of bull that didn't serve any good purpose except to fill up time with more or less meaningless talk. The man appears first in an Italian characterization, changing later to full evening dress. Both have excellent voices and would do much better In a straight singing turn. "The Great Richard," In the next-to-closlng position, was tbe show's bit They are a quartet of mon- keys, well trained, with a routine including wire walking, and they were thoroughly en- joyed . Broslus and Brown closed the show. They have a very good trick cycle-act with good props, and got away to big applause. Hannah Leach and Jack Hollans, recently at Talt's, opened the show with a good exhibition of ballroom and whirlwind dancing. Jack Soseyat. CASINO, SAN FANCISCO. San Francisco, Aug. 81. The outstanding feature of a good vaude- ville bill proved to be the De Pace Brothers and company of two women, In a combina- tion of operatic singing, and mandolin and guitar playing by the brothers. White the good voices of the singers drew Its share of tbe applause, it was the playing of the stringed Instruments by the brotners that completely tied up the show. Corporal Joe Nathan scored nicely with some gags about the war, the majority sounding new. He puts his talk over In a likeable manner. He closes his offering with some cartooning- with the anal picture of ' i| ?m ' ' : SWfet"S<>*J •k *Hc£S: ^»*;'. : *^"iiii4,>"C 'j&i&i&i&fgi -.-.