Variety (December 1919)

■'.■-■. " : - 20 r. ■ - Rf:' r» . p» I i- L ■■•"-'■ IS » "•■ l* ■ V • :'■ esffi George Choos Co. (13). •The Little Cottaoe" (Musical Comady). 36 Mine.j Full Stage (8pecial Setting*). Colonial. This classes aa one of the beat, If not the very beat, vaudeville production ef- fort by George Choos. It Is brilliantly billed, brightly written, Invested with splendid wardrobe, some clever music, a good trio of principals and a chorus of ten glrlBL much above the usual, espe- cially for vaudeville revues. "The Little Cottage," which Choos Bays he "sub- lets" to the audience. Is really a minia- ture musical comedy, for it has a story and a strain of clean comedy throughout. The act opena in "one," that necessary to explain the plot. The drop shows a railroad station. There a story writer and hiB finance part, he to go to the country tor a hard week's work on his farm. Here the theme song is first given the title. But her sweetie doesn't go. to the country alone, for a pal happens along. The latter explains that he has a merry bunch of girls and the whole crew hit the trail for the countryside. The lines between the girl and her sweetheart draw attention in several ways arid one way is their, absolute freshness. He speaks of his mother as a grandmother and hopes she'll soon* be a grand-mother, which draws the blushes of his sweetie. The act -proper opens with a very neat full stage set, with the girl guests singing a number, "Smile "While You May," followed by a well dW rected dance. ' Between the two men principals (probably ;Dlxon and CoHUs) there is some sentimental, "talk about the moon, topped oft when a silken panel makes its first ascent from, it po- sition in the rear of the set A pretty garden setting beyond shows Miss Sin- clair, the other principal, posed. The panel is shortly used for one of the punch bits of the turn. Two page girls attend the opening of small doors through which a costume shew is de- veloped r - the other eight girls represent- ing' the year's legal holidays. One of the men sings an acompanying number, the'other breaking in with humorous comment as each girl entrances through the 'panel. The tat holiday represented was- New Tear's, the costume being a corking'affair of silver and white fur. rJext came a St "Valentine vamp, with" a frock'o* pretty pmk. A colonial attire represented' "Washington's Birthday. Easter was pretty, while the Fourth of Jury was a rich thing in gold with" a pm-wheel novelty headdress. '• There fol- lowed Hallowe'en, -^Thanksgiving - arid Christmas. The 1 girls were out again Boon afterwards in more showy gowns of- silver cloth, trimmed with orange colored feathers. They sang a jaaz- shimmy number that ought to draw con- siderable attention and probably called "Shake a Little Shoulder." The num- ber'has a novelty lyric with a novelty tune; ' "William. Brandell (who is now producing on his own) wrote the act; Walter Rosemont did the music and Darl MacBoyle the lyrics. The direction Is skillful. There are some excellent lighting effects and in all Mr. Choos has delivered a capital act .of ItB kind. Con- siderable money has been expended on "The Little Cottage", and a fine result attained. Though the act is running longer than usually accepted, it' gets better as It goes along and needs no cut- tlipg. rt> c «- • Thomas E. Shea and Co. (3). "Spotlights." {Dramatic.) 18 Minn Full Stage, Royal. Mr. Shea Is using his usual vaudeville idea, namely, moments from his three greatest legitimate successes, "The Cardinal," "The Bells" and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." He has a novel idea of Introducing the different characters. The opening finds an elderly gentleman ruminating before a fire place. His son enters and tells his father he has just attended a reception given to Cardinal Mercier and that Thos. E. Shea was present The conversation drifts to Shei. and his Cardinal Richelieu, and there is a fade-out with Shea reappear- ing mid-stage attired In costume. Two spot .lights are focused on him from the wings id all his characters. The other members are Invisible after the black- outs, but they all handle the necessary dialog. This method is used to Intro- duce each of the characters, the finish finding father and son still conversing. After the "JekyU-Hyde" bit the set lights up and a maid announces Mr. Thomas E. Shea. He walks on In con- ventional evening attire. It's a splendid method and a great improvement from a vaudei 111c standpoint. Mr. Shea is a real novelty, more so in these days of girl acts and Jan than ever. Con. Fay Courtney, Songs. •->■ 14 Mint.; One (Special Drop). . , _• Colonial. Fay Courtney is the larger of the two' Courtney Bisters. They dissolved when Florence married George Jessel The program announced a routine of songs written by the sisters and Arthur Behim, several of which have already been pub- lished. Starting her first number from the entrance, a trick Fay did. when working with Florence, she entered with 'The Kind of a Boy I'm Waiting For." Attired In frock of yellow silk, she looked nice. She was seated for the start of her second number, "Sorry I Ain't Got It Ton Can Have It if I Had It Blues." a song well suited to her style. Then came "Don't Ton Hear Me Calling Caro- line." Her pianist (Fred Farter) soloed with a medley while Miss Courtney changed to a very effective gown of bine, flowered- with a golden design. The number held a lyric referring to a Chi- nese love.match. It was her best vocal effort and a number better suited to her than she has offered in a long time. She encored with, a version of "Smiles," the lyric complimentary to the audlene. Miss Courtney, belongs as a single and she will probably be alio ted "spots" In the big halls, which she appears capable of holding down. . /fee. Murphy and Klein,* Vocal, Instrumental and Talk. 13 Mini.; One. American. This couple' have an original opening, obviating the necessity for inadequately putting, over cross • talk. They open sriiteases bearing-painted signs with the questions and answer to the us^al cross- fire, dropping the signs alternately in- stead of speaking. As each question or answer la revealed they illuminate them with, their -own flashlights, while the house is darkened. The man then plays a saxophone, after which he goes to the piano to accompany the lady, who warbles "Sweet Adeline." Her rendition of the number is a cross between Nora Bayes and Jack Nor - worth; She follows it with "Doggone -Dangerous Girl," recalling Sophie Tuck- er. She puts her numbers - over In - cislvely and emphatically. Then an Irish number which starts off "I'm an American,'' but the substartct of the ditty is to the effect that she's Irish. Very acceptable turn. ' Jolov-' '■}■•' "•'■> ■ ■:■■-. Emmett's Surprise. • Dog Acs* 12 ,Mins.;One and Three. 125th Street. •■'. The surprise occurs at the opening when the man makes an entrance in "one" and asks some one oft stage: '■tvhere is my partner?" The off stage voice replies: "In the bo*." The trainer looks In two stage boxes and finally dis- covers a email box 1 on the.stage, which when snapped open, reyeals a cntc white curly dog. 'The animal is unusually in- telligent and performs an interesting routine of "cue" stunts. They are cleverly arranged and it makes a good early spotter. This type of act will be handicapped it assigned the opening spots, for the man monologa continually. • ' Con. Andenon and YveL Roller 8katerev- ,--. • »* 10 Mini.; Full Stage. •• Royal. Youthful couple with a singing open- ing. They are seated on the stage and they-vocalize about their, photos in the lobby and about the'audience wondering what they're going to do. It's a good idea for. this-type of act is usually alio ted the opening or closing spot and in the latter it arrests the usual walk out for the skates aren't -noticeable until they stand erect: They have a fast, showy routine of Interesting figure skating. The boy does a Frisco with hat and cigar. The finish is a flashy' looking spin and swing, he swinging her and lowering and raising her alternately while she is being whirled In a circle by the feet It. looks dangerous when her body Just ■ brushes the stage. A good act for either end of the bill. .. - , Con. "Mammy's Holiday" (8). Tabloid. - * 16 Mint; Three (Special Set). Jefferson. ' : s ~ '. '?. This turn very legitimately rings in a number of specialties. The young folk of a Southern plantation tender a birth- day party to a colored "mammy," and the specialties are supposed to be the impromptu entertainers. There'? a chap there whose Rooney and Frtsco impres- sions are excellent. He further attracts with violin playing. The vocalists and dancers, ' of which seven are females, take care of their respective specialties very well. The turn should do handily around the better small and small big- time circuits. v Abej. Three Blighty Girl a. Songs and Dance*. 14 Mint.; Full Stage (8pceial Set). . Colonial. The girls are unmistakably English or it might be that Scotland is their native heath. The program announce them: as direct from London, for their first Amer- ican appearance under the direction of A! Bonta. They were listed for closing the show but Monday night were hi the opening spot. There they did well enough, but failed to show strength enough to have closed the bill, nor does the turn appear framed for such a spot. Two of the Blighty Girls look quite young. One is the number leaden. It-is she who has the pep which carries the act along. The opening bad the -trio singing very. good harmony with "Go- ing Through the Rye." that being easily the best song effort..- The lively member then went into "Bonnie Mary" .with a dance bit to take.her off for a costume change. One of the other girls gave "Old Fashioned- Mother of Mine." which failed to draw anything. , The third girt had a dance specialty and the- peppery miss was out again with a song '.'Banks of the Silvery Dee." A trio dar.ee .topped off the routine; . On what • the girls showed Monday,night they can hardly do better than the opening spot. Ibee. Lorimer and Barbery. 1 •" ' ■> '-' Dancing and Sonps. 8 M>ns.; One (3); Three (2); One (4). . Harlem O. H. (Nov. 29). > ■ . Lorimer and Carhery pre offering a dance diversion that is somewhat. dif- ferent. The principal trouble seemingly is that It Is improperly routined 'arid that the two seem to be uncertain as to what they are going to do. 'They open with a little -different flirtation bit which leads into a song. "When We Live on Kisses and Ch?ese." ; Nothing to rave about and not oulte what an audience will get. It 1b delivered before a green drape. "When this Is parted there Is' a black and white domino scene' with" a flight of stairs' disclosed. On this! the best dancing is shown. It Is la Russian floor sten. delivered going up and down s'airs. That is the applause punch and should be the closing -feature. At the finish Carbery does his eccentric dance and Is Joined by the girl* for the finish. The jflrl I* rather'61uwri-1imN>d and can dance. She makes four changes; all attractive. They leave her legs bare! She was the* ohe : uncertain on the 1 stair- stepping. The act; however, with 're^ routining and -ith work to whip It'into shape looks as though it- should be readv for the better time; The staircase Will land it for them. Th's feature will stand «»1abr<ratin»r: even the steps might be wld*»n»d. That would lend to a greater flash. Fred. Owgrntt and RayugnoV "An Ace in the Hole,- . 21 Mint., Fu» Stags. (Spaelal Set). Fifth Avenue, .'. .- Dugan and Raymond, who formerly, bad a breakaway-auto act, bob* have an- other smart crossCre skit with aa aero- plane, in which they are assisted by a third person, a man playing a butler and who acts as a toll for Dugan's "wise cracks.'* Amateur aviator alights In the garden of a wealthy girl and proceeds to rush her into, matrimony. They sit under a tree that drops fruit every time a lie is told. .Many of the flip, sayings are new and others quite ancient. Their Theda Bara gag has been used by Charles Withers in "For Pity's Sake" for several years.. Dugan seems to be in- clined to sacrifice originality in. the mat- ter of crosstalk for sure-fire laughs, de- pending upon a new setting and bis un- doubted ability to put' them over. All very well, in its way, but by adding to it all new laughs, the act is materially enhanced in value. Jolc. Kathleen O'Hanlon, assisted by Thee. Zamboni and George Gregoroa. Singing and .Dancing. 12 Mine.; Full Stage. . Riverside. ',' . ', ■■ Kathleen. OlHanlon and The©. Zam- boni closed recently with a Shubert show. As a number in the middle of a' production their daning must have stood out As a vaudeville act their present offering is sp.badly framed they are un- able to do themselves. justice. .Opening with a combined whiriwird arid acro- batic dance, With Miss O'Hanlon be- comingly clad in white tights' and Zam- boni wearing a sort of Spanish evening dress with'tall-less Eton jacket, the act starts excellently. George 'Gregoroa follows with a baritone solo, in Spanish. This is well sung but slows the act Up badly. Ariothjer dance by O'Hanlon and Zamboni concludes the turn. The clos- ing number discloses some difficult Whirls and spin's by Zamboni a~d several* graceful 'pirouettes by Miss ^O'Hahlori. It is customed In"gypsy, fashion.' Miss O'HaVToii again appearing to advantage in'abbreviated garb. The act was con- siderably 'changed about at the Monday night show, at-the Riverside, a piano sold' arid a Vocal number; being 'out About the only solution" apparent is the framing'of-'ah- entirely hew double by O'Hanlon and Zamboni. "Why the'singer was added lh the first place'k a mystery. -:;-. •-. ■'.: *W - • '■'■' 'flirt. • •:-. - -- " -""•' i ■-■ - v' *•-■'' Marccni and Fitzgibbons.' •■/* '• ' Musical;' 1 '- •!■■-»"•-'•■•' * •""*•' •;»• "•■ 12 Mins.; One/'-' •'** : . • '\' Riverside. -■'■'• ."'•' ; i-. ; .- ;•-.-.! - - ■'■■ -..'■' >■: <•;-;■• »•• , Two men in a series of accordion, and xylophone solos and duets, with the piano used occasionally to vdry the routine. Both wear Tuxedos. Act starts with ac- cordion and piano duet A good lively opening that makes a first rate impres- sion. Next a pop medley duet on ac- cordion and xylophone. -" Fitzgibbons then offers an old bit at the piano, in which he announces "Sunshine-of-Tout* Smile" played In various tempos,. In- cluding waltz,"march, tango time, etc. it's bo. old. It's riew^and, landed,,a. big hand at the Riverside. Monday night. A couple of medley duets on accordion and xylophone for. the .finish. Both are good musicians and handle their respective Instruments with ability. The turn passed creditably on second. It will fill an early 'spot very well on the b'g time bills.'' .V" . ' . . ..' Bell. • ■>. . ?. '!!--"•'/ •„ . '• .' Use Bino*,;, . .t : - •■■■-. . : i . ■•• Acrobats. •/-•..-.:•.• .: t- •■ i. 10 Minsi; Three. •-. i~ .'■'•* MMfc.9tViM.iq : ..• V. -:;.-'--. .*-- Male' arid female acrobatic team, the woman acting aa irnderstander in several lifts and head to head stands.' The man does some body lifts, topped off with a hand stand' On a chair She 1 does some 'TRlBley 1 ^ work. ■ The feature' Is_a head slide by 'the male down an incline, ihe low* end of which is supported on the woman's head. It's flashy. Good, open- ers. . Cojj.