The New York Clipper (February 1917)

THE NEW YORK CLIPPER February 28, 1917 STARS IN VAUDE GET B'DWAY OFFERS MUSICAL COMEDIES TAKE MANY The old-time custom of vaudeville Beck- ing its headlinera from the musical com- edy stage bag been completely reversed in the past few seasons. It is now a case of musical comedy seeking its stars from the realm of the two-a-day. This is due to several causes. One reason is contained in the fact that vaudeville has made wonderful strides forward. This has attracted real artists to the two-a-day fold, which now de- velops its own material. On the other hand, the musical comedy of today is more closely related than ever hefore to ita vaudeville brother. The modern day revue, the Follies, the Win-' ter Garden Show, the Century production, and ataflM offerings are nothing more nor less than big vaudeville shows, and must, therefore, come to the vaudeville field for their star talent. It is now a proposition of this headliner or that leaving vaudeville to star in musi- cal comedy. Examples of this can be found on every hand. The advent of Henry Lewis into "Follow He" is a nota- ble one. The Dolly. Sisters, former vaude- ville favorites, are now making good in a legitimate play of their own. Harry Fox deserted vaudeville to become the main- spring of Gaby Dealy's show last season. Evan Chic Sale, who is by no means destined for musical comedy, is being grabbed from vaudeville for the two-hour Biiow stage, and will be featured in a Shubert production in a few months. Mabel McCane, a former vaudeville fa- vorite, is to be starred by Al H. Woods. Aveling &. Lloyd, Ted Doner and Kerr & Weston, as well as many.other vaude- villians, are destined to soon join the ranks of musical. comedy, according to present plans. EDGAR ALLEN PRODUCING Edgar Allen, who has charge of the hooks in the Fox Vaudeville Circuit offices, has produced a comedy dramatic sketch en- titled. "The .Punch.' which is having a two- week break in on the Fox Circuit. The act will be handled for the two-a-day houses by Marx Hart. NEW SKIT FOR TRAVERS Allen Spencer Tenney is preparing, a comedy skit, entitled "Ha'fa Laugh," for Burt Travers, the eccentric comedian,, who recently returned from England after an absence of six years. WHITE HUSSARS IN VAUDEVILLE Loganspobt, Ind., Feb. 27.—The White Hussars, who were here with a Chautauqua daring the summer, proved a.big hit at the Broadway here last week where they head- lined the bill. REDRICK HAS NEW PLAYLET Frederick Redrick, Jr., has secured a playlet called "The Office Boy," in which he ia preparing to appear with H. Robson, Josephine Sax and John Moore. "OH!" TO HAVE PREMIER "Oh P is the title of a vaudeville playlet which will soon have its premier on V. B. O. time. Its cast in clude s Matilda Baring, Hannah Engel and William E. Blake. DAINTY MARIE TO WORK DOUBLE Dainty Marie and her sister win do a double trapeze act next season which will be offered for booking en the TJ. B. O. Circuit DOT MARCELLE Playing United Time VAUDEVILLE PERFORMER IN NEED Philadelphia, Feb. 24.—Philip Spa- eth, an old' time performer of thirty-five years* standing has been in the American Oncologic Hospital here since last July suf- fering from cancer and is in dire need of assistance, as this hospital does not fur- nish dressings nor laundry for patients. DICK BURTON STILL ALIVE Austin Walsh has received a letter from Dick Burton, the vaudeville performer, in which be states he is in India fighting for the Empire. This will be good news to his many friends here, as it proves that the announcement sometime ago of his death was erroneous. WOOD HAS NEW GIRL ACT Joe Wood has produced another girl act, called "The Passing Show of Vaudeville." There are twenty-four people in the cast. The company will open an eight-week en- gagement at Nankin Gardens, Newark, N. J.. Mar. 12. VAUDEVILLE PERFORMERS WED Frank Naldy, of Naldy and Naldy, and Baddy Ralph, formerly of Smith and Ralph, were recently married. The team of Naldy and Naldy will open shortly with Mike Toplitz. JOE TOWLE IS PROSPEROUS Joe Towle, the vaudeville comedian, has bought a plot of ground in the Edgemere section of Long Island, 'where he intends to erect twelve' bungalows, prior to the summer season. VAUDEVILLE BABOON DEAD New Orleans, La.. Feb.. 22.—Prince, the baboon that rides a motorcycle, died here last week. He was' owned by Simon Nederveld, a Hollander, and was valued at $5,000. NEW ACT FOR VERA STANDLY Philadelphia, Feb. 24.—"The Maids of Philadelphia" is the title of a new vaude- ville skit in rehearsal here with Vera Standly in the leading role. LEVY TO MAKE TOUR Joe Levy, of the Mark Levy offices, leaves for a tour of the Southern cities, beginning at Washington Saturday. MUX CARRIE RECOVERED Mile. Carrie is expecting to play the Cleveland time again, having fully recover- ed from her recent illness. TORCATS BACK rROM CUBA The Torcats have finished their Cuban engagement and are playing the Southern Circuit, ESTABLISHES N. V. A. ROOM Harry Swift, manager of the Harlem Opera House, is having a National Vaude- ville Artists' Green Room installed back of the stage of his theatre which will be opened Sunday. Sol Levoy has taken charge of the alterations and furnishing of the room. A handsome library table, bookcases, lounging chairs, couch and card tables are being installed. On the second floor back stage Levoy has built a shower batb. This will be the first of the Green rooms to be established in local theatres for the exclusive use of N. V. A. mem- bers. HAMMERSTEIN GETS $30,000 The injunction suit brought by Oscar Hammerstein against the Keith and United Booking Office interests to halt the operation of the Riverside Theatre, at Ninety-sixth street and Broadway, was settled just as it was about to come to trial last week, by the payment of $30,000 to Hammerstein. In return, he agreed to desist from further suits against the in- terests of which E. F. Albee and A. Paul Keith are the heads. EMERY COMES TO RESCUE Edwin T. Emery, who staged the sketch "The Choir Rehearsal," in which Sallie Fischer is appearing for the second week at the Palace, appeared in the role of the "country boy" in the sketch on Monday afternoon as a result of the illness of Al Stuart^ who plays the role. MEHLINGER FOR VAUDEVILLE Artie Mehlinger, who has been appear- ing in Shubert productions for the past two years, will again return to vaude- ville via the Orpneum Circuit, a route having been supplied him with Winnipeg as the opening point, March 11. FA1RMAN AND FEROL BACK George Fairman and Irene Ferol, vaude- ville performers, returned last week from Los Angeles,- where they have been work- ing for the past two years. A new act is in preparation for them in which they will shortly appear on the Loew Circuit. NAN O'CONNOR IN NEW ACT Nan O'Connor, of the Three O'Connor Sisters, and Elmer Cleve have joined forces and are doing a new act, written by William J. Harris. FLORENCE ROBERTS REHEARSING Florence Roberts is rehearsing a vaude- ville sketch by Frank Ferguson. An Instance of Harry Houdini's wonder- ful memory was demonstrated in a news- paper office a short time ago. . George Rock- well, of Rockwell and Wood, happened in and, noting an amused scrutinizing look.on the face of the famous self-liberator, walked up to him and said, "You don't remember me, do you Mr. Houdini?" "No," said Houdini, "don't you come from Providence, and isn't your name Rockwell?" Rockwell was nonplussed for a .few minutes, the chatterbox was silenced, while their thoughts ran back to a year ago when Rockwell was a boy in Providence, bang- ing around the stage and every other place where he could get close to celebrities. He and a pal had made a paper bag, from which they challenged Houdini to escape. Bnt thereby hangs a tale. We are not the only one who marvels at the individual talent of Little Vlasta Maa- lova, now dancing with Kosloff, J. B. R., of "the International" lets out the following lament. "Have you ever seen Vlasta Maalova dance? She ia one of the greatest of liv- ing dancers. Whenever she dances at the Palace, I look in vain in the newspapers for comment upon her extraordinary achievement. But, alas, her glory is not discussed in our tribunes. In fact, there must be a conspiracy on foot to conceal the talents of this fascinating genius. For Maalova can dance, as greatly as Pavlowa, as finely as Nijinsky, with a beauty and a passion that is absolutely unparalleled. Bnt why this silence on the part of our critics? Gentlemen, wake up!" Maud Ryan tried to start something at the Harlem Opera House last Tuesday night. She was hustling out after her turn when she ran into Harry Swift. She told him she was hurrying to get down to the meeting. "What meeting," sputters Swift, his sus- picions aroused. "Oh, there are a lot of us going down," said Maud and she pro- ceeded to give the names of anyone she could think of, while Harry wrote them down on his cuff. Maud's comedy will sure get her in bad some of these days. She'd rather get someone's goat than draw a full week's salary. Dainty Marie who can boast of the dis- tinction of an eight week's run at Ham- merstein's Victoria, and five at the Palace, as well as numerous return engagements at both houses, and who is at the Palace again this week, has decided to use her family name. She will be known in future as Dainty Marie Meeker. Miss Meeker re- cites several amusing, yet embarrassing instances, of business people calling at her hotel and asking to see Miss Dainty Marie. Hence the addition of her perfectly good surname. .. • ■ > NANCY BOYER SIGNS UP Nancy Boyer has signed up for five years in vaudeville, with W. S. Butterfield. THE DURKJN GIRLS at the Colonial, New York A reviewer of the World-Herald won- ders whether if is breeding which espe- cially distinguishes Horace Wright and Rene Dietrich from other singers of 'the Variety stage. He adds "theirs is the ability to put something fresh and alto- gether charming in even an average popular song. Miss Dietrich has an unusual quality of loveliness in whatever she does." We echo the sentiments of this discrimi- nating critic. As further proof that there are too many expensive dancing acts just now and that the question of Ruth Thomas's drawing power was not the only reason the act was shelved temporarily, Evelyn Nesbit, whose name is undoubtedly a draw, has announced her intention of putting her act in- storage in three weeks, the reason being that it was too expensive for the.salary offered. „: : .......•■. ,....•„.