The New York Clipper (January 1917)

8 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER January 3, 1917 PALACE Another splendid bill greeted another Holiday crowd Monday at this theatre. The "lion's share" of honors went to Rock- well and Wood, reviewed under New Acts. Median's Canines, contrary to' their usual custom of closing shows, opened the till. Always a clean cut, interesting act, it is safe to say no animal act in the country could have duplicated their suc- cess in any position. The small dogs are a whole show in themselves and the work of the leaping hounds is incomparable. Marion Weeks, that delightful little American coloratura soprano, continues a rare novelty for vaudeville—her person- ality and voice being so delicately refined that she stands quite alone in her style of work. The program calls attention to her G above high C reached in Mme. Sem- brich's famous waltz song, "Voci di Primavera," but it is in a Scotch number that she scores greatest. "The Night Boat" was a round of merri- ment. Out of a suggestive plot is evolved a lot of genuine comedy. Alex Carr and company, in "An April Shower," demonstrated the possibility of making an audience laugh and cry almost at the same time. Gladys Clark and Henry Bergman, with two girl proteges and accompanied by Cliff Hess at the piano, opened after the Intermission. Miss Clark, in nurses' uni- form, wheels Mr. Bergman on in an in- valid chair and he sings an original ver- sion of Yaddie Kaddie, a popular Hawai- ian melody, in which Miss Clark assists. In a song about girls growing bolder when they get older, he is assisted by a little dark haired girl who sings, then with a tall dark haired girl who dances, and finally by blonde Miss Clark who sings and dances. A Chinese number, a Ha- waiian number and one about a fiddler having to be paid followed in quick suc- cession. Eddie Foy and the Seven Foy children, with Mother Foy there for the bow, gave their comedy version of "The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe." The girl who sings and next-to-the-tallest boy who dances with her held the act up. For a closing number they use the song John L. Golden wrote, culled from expressions used by President Wilson in his preparatory cam- paign addresses. Anna Wheaton and Harry Carroll en- tertained in their usual refined, pleasing manner. Miss Wheaton always looks spic and span in the daintiest of frocks and has* an irresistible winning way. They work delightfully together, each one pay- ing the moBt complimentary attention to the other's work, bespeaking the artist. "Pinkey," a name applied to a singing and dancing act, because the scenery, cos- tomes and decorations are all in pink, closed the show. The act consists of Miss Gladyngs (formerly of Gladyngs and Cummings) and a clever little midget. Miss Glayngs features high kicking and dancing and excels anyone in that line the reviewer has seen in years. She also does some wonderful hand springs for a woman. The little fellow is a clever dancer, besides having a really big voice. SHOW REVIEWS (Continued on pag« 17) RIVERSIDE New Year's night, this most recent ad- dition to the Keith Circuit of first class vaudeville theatres, was packed from pit to dome. The audience, besides being notable in numbers, was one of the clas- siest assemblages ever seen in a metro- politan variety house. At least one- quarter of those present were clad in evening dress. The atmosphere and gen- eral characteristics of the Riverside, seem to be attracting the best class of theatre- goers in the vicinity. That grand old woman of the stage, Mrs. Thomas Whiffen, met with a royal reception in Edgar Allan Woolf's sketch "The Golden Night," closing the first half. Mrs. Whiffen very wisely has secured a highly efficient company to support her. Milo struck soft going and also regis- tered a twenty-four calibre hit. His im- itations went over like wildfire and his vocal solos caught the fancy of the house immediately. The Schmettans were on a trifle too early for a reviewer to form an opinion of their worth. The turn is well costumed and staged in a manner that betokens a good knowledge of showmanship. The Durkin Girls render a nicely arranged routine of songs. They were accorded ap- plause quite in line with their entertain- ing abilities. These young ladies will be heard from before many vaudeville moons have passed. Billie Montgomery and George Perry re- peated the bit they made over in Brooklyn last week. Clark and Verdi received a big reception the moment their card was placed in the frame. The dialogue regarding the qual- ifications of the smaller chap for the job his political friend promises to secure for him is really legisimate comedy that would not be out of place in a three-act play. The songs made a huge hit. It wouldn't be a bad idea for Clark and Verdi to try a more serious turn next season. With their present material they cannot advance much further,. admitting that they have reached the top of their the audience counted for anything. Horace Wright and Rene Dietrich pre- sented their refined singing specialty with excellent results. Wright sings with dis- cretion and a real idea of expression. In as much as Wright apparently is of Irish extraction it is peculiar that he does not include a song or two of the Emerald Isle in his repertoire. The numbers now being sung by the act all seem to hit the mark perfectly and possibly Wright feels in- clined to let well enough alone. Still there does seem to be an excellent open- ing for an Irish song, of the "mother" type- The Girlies' Gambol closed the show. The big act went very weB Monday eve- ning. Felix Adler carries the comedy burden of the act acceptably. His best bit is the ventriloquial absurdity he used to such good purpose in vaudeville. COLONIAL A program made np of well known names in vaudeville, was responsible for a capacity house at the Monday matinee. It also resembled a dancing carnival, six out of the nine acts making the dance a fea- ture. Retter Brothers with gymnastic feats started things off in a lively manner. Paul does a double somersault from the ground, perhaps the only man doing it* in vaude- ville. The other brother does the comedy end, getting numerous laughs. Nonette and her violin, on rather early, didn't have any trouble in walking away with her usual big success. Number two spot at this house is getting to be a fine position for aotB to "clean up." Charles Cartmell and Laura Harris, in r. singing and dancing skit called "Golfing With Cupid," have some wonderful mate- rial but' need someone to reconstruct It for them. It lacks snap and ginger, too many waits being noticeable. With the act properly put together it will make one of the finest offerings of its kind. Miss Harris is a clever dancer and Cartmell can get results out of songs. Paul McCsrty and Elsie Faye, in their musical travesty called "Suicide Garden," by Herbert Moore, held the boards for eighteen minntes, a trifle too long. The couple are versatile and do singing, danc- ing and piano playing successfully.. The idea of the skit is cleverly worked out, making it entertaining from start to finish. Bert Leslie, with another one of his slang sketches of the Hogan series called "Hogan in Mexico," had them "holding on." Bert handed out some of the best material of this kind that has been heard at this house this season. His supporting company was good and proved good feed- ers. Bert Handon, opening intermission, working similar to Dave Ferguson, and one or two other single men put over a fair size hit His line of talk is of the lnngh variety and didn't fail here. Stella Mayhew, and her hubby, Billee Taylor, talked about themselves, sang sev- eral songs, did some comedy stunts, and found an audience in front who liked their work. Stella is still featuring her "drunk" song and Billee follows her with a heart ballad. For a laugh producer, "The Belle of Bingville," as shown by Fred Whitfield and Marie Ireland, assisted by Lew Mur- doek, is the goods. It is billed as a rustic blend of song, dance and mirth, and judg- ing from the way the andience received it they can be credited with almost walking away with the show. Mosher, Hayes and Mosher, whose repu- tation is almost as well known as the bicycles they ride, had no difficulty in hold- ing them in their seats in closing position. Paths News Weekly, with interesting views, pleased and interested the audience with its current event films. ORPHEUM Roland Trovers opened the proceedings with a well staged magical turn. His act bears all the earmarks of a high class num- ber. Boudini Brothers play sccordeons with a skill that betokens long and arduous practice. The range of their selection!! covers everything from grand opera to ragtime. Moon and Morris are dancers who can lay a genuine claim to originality. The Persian costumes puzzled the audience for a moment or two, but as soon as the back to back stepping started the success of the turn was assured. A comic song and dance of English vintage proved a decided- ly likeable innovation. Moon and Morris are quite in a class by themselves in American vaudeville. Edna Goodrich, looking ravlehly beauti- ful, wore an odd half dozen costume crea- tions, each one seemingly more expensive and tasteful than the rest. "The Manne- quin," the Edgar Allen Woolf playlet in which she is appearing, offers her ample opportunities,, not only for the display of gowns and physical charms but likewise to prove that she possesses acting ability ns well. France Bendtsen, playing the principal comedy role in support of Miss Goodrich, secures about a laugh a minute and then some. He makes a part that in less skill- ful hands might have become slightly of- fensive, legitimately entertaining. "Oklahoma" Bob Albright simply exudes personality. He. has a sweet and sym- pathetic baritone voice which he knows how to nse to perfection. Albright sung seven or eight songs at the Monday matinee, and had he so desired could have put over as many more if the attitude of the audience counted for anything. The California Boys' Band, an aggrega- tion of youngsters from the coast, gave n brass band concert, indulged in some ex- cellent ground and lofty tumbling and dis- closed a couple of youthful comedians who can surely hold their own with the best. The youngster who impersonated Charlie Chaplin is immense. He has a great fu- ture before him. Aveling and Lloyd discussed the phil- osophy of a ten-dollar bill with customary comedy results. Dolly Connolly and Percy Wenrich have a very pretty stage setting as a back- ground for their latest singing act. Miss Connolly was a bit hoarse at the matinee, but nevertheless managed to put over everything she attempted.* The songs are nicely varied and Miss Connolly's costumes help matters along materially. Wenrich ventured a little close harmony toward the finish. Percy fooled the bunch by uncov- ering a sweet tenor voice. What he termed as his latest song hit made a corking clos- ing number for a. singing turn of real merit Maryon Vadie, a toe dancer and a gen- uine artiste in her line, assisted by Ota Gygi. programmed as the Court Violinist to the King of Spain, comprise a duo that for "class" is quite unapproachable. It is an act that win very shortly become the vaudeville j-ersation that it deserves to be.