The New York Clipper (July 1917)

July 4, 1917 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER PALACE Although this week's bill runs to danc- ing, a straight singing turn actually cap- tured the honors at the opening perform- ance. The Kouns Sisters, making their first local bow, stepped out and did things that the management will not forget for some time. An unheralded act that can stop the show at the opening performance, with a routine of but four songs, will stand the test of time and should shortly be in the headline class. Eddie Foy and the Seven Foys were the top-liners and although the act ran but fourteen minutes, proved that it is as en- tertaining as ever. The Kullervo Brothers opened the show with a novel head-to-head balancing act, which is more fully reviewed under New Acta. Helen McMahon, Maurice Diamond and Rene Cbaplow, in the second spot, scored a big sized hit with a splendid routine of different dances and songs. This act is to be commended for stepping out of the rut of the so-called singing and dancing acta,in- asmuch as they have endeavored and suc- ceeded well in making a small production of their offering. The wardrobe and scen- ery are worthy of more than passing com- ment and the feature of the turn is a rag- doll dancing specialty which Miss Mc- Mahon formerly did in the costume of a scare crow. As the act stands now, with Diamond's remarkable Russian dancing steps, Miss McMahon's rag-doll specialty and the splendid singing and dancing of Miss Chaplow, the act is a sure-fire hit in any spot on any bill. "Rubeville," employing the various tal- ents of ten men, in a quaint setting, won big applause with its arrangement of mel- ody, humor and dance. Harry Watson and Jere Delaney are featured, and do their work well, while Thomas Westbury, with a specialty on the 'cello, won individual approval with his rendering of an old- fashioned number. The act scored all the way. Nellie and Sara Kouns, assisted by Hec- tor McCarthy at the piano, in the fourth spot, were the talk of all during inter- mission period. This act is more fully reviewed under New Acts. Closing the first part was the Foy act, in which the opening cross-fire talk has been greatly improved. Little Irving, who has always been a lovable feature of the act, appeared with a swollen face, due to over zealousness in mastering a bicycle near bis home. After intermission The Greater Morgan Dancers, in their second week, were an artistic delight. Bert Savoy and Jay Brennan followed with their comedy skit entitled "After the Matinee," which has been greatly improved with many new quips. Brennan is mak- ing the most of his comic phrase "I'm glad you asked me," and Savoy filled in the picture nicely with a new Palm Beach suit. It was the first one seen on the stage at this house in a long while. Several gags need revision, especially tbe lounge-lizard joke, and the ■ references to Plattsburg and Emma Goldman. George White and Emma Haig, in their fourth week, open the act with White's well-known creation, "The Flirtation Dance," which went big. Next came the Spanish dance, in .which Miss Haig shows some dandy steps and beautiful costumes. White offered his imitations of male danc- ers, including the steps of Eddie Leonard, Bernard Granville, Fred Stone, Harlan Dixon, of Doyle and Dixon. Maurice's Skat- ing Waltz. George M. Cohan and Will Rogers. They both finished with their original version of the "Shimme-Sha-Wab- ble." William Edgirettu, assisted by a white horse and three dogs, offered "The Act Beautiful," in which a routine of many beautiful poses are shown. The act is handled in a showmanlike manner and is a really splendid picture all the way. S. L. H. SHOW REVIEWS (Continued on pages S and 21) RIVERSIDE The bill at this house was one act short on Monday night, due to the withdrawal of Emma Stephens. But Nora Bayes, who, assisted by Irving Fisher, is presenting a new act, held the stage for more than forty- five minutes, which brought the running time up to the regular schedule. Miss Bayes is a big favorite with uptown au- diences, and she was received with such enthusiasm that, in addition to her new act, she was forced to give the greater part of her old one as well. Sylvia Loyal opened tbe bill and an act of rather mediocre calibre was brought to a pleasing finish by the releasing of several scores of pigeons from various parts of the theatre which circled about and finally settled upon a platform held upon her shoulders. Jack Alfred and company have in "Smile," a real novelty. Tbey have gotten well out of the beaten track of acrobatic acts, and as a result have an offering which can hold a late spot on any bill. Their acrobatic stunts are well done and the novel manner in which the entire act is presented adds immensely to its value. Bensee and Baird are in need of a new act, or, at least, a complete revision of tbe one they are now presenting. Miss Baird, who gives an excellent impression of Eddie Foy, in looks, actions and speech, is a clever performer and Bensee is not without ability. But the evident desire to inject comedy into their offering has in several in- stances been carried too far. There is nothing either elevating or amusing in gazing upon the nude limbs of a man, nor is the introduction of the water bottle by Mr. Baird at the close of the act in the best of taste. The introduction of some new material In place of the bits which this reviewer believes are objectionable to at least a portion of many audiences, would improve the act greatly. Earle Cavanaugh in the little tabloid "Mr. Inquisitive," closed intermission. Cavanaugh is a clever comedian and, in the role of the inquisitive young man who visited a female dentist just to learn how a woman could run such an establishment, was most amusing. Cavanaugh was ably assisted by Ruth Tompkins, who sings and dances exceptionally well, and tbe balance of the cast was entirely adequate. Ward and Van, the street musicians, scored a decided success. These young men are fine musicians, each a master of his instrument and their selections were well received. The violinist is particularly good and his playing of harmonics was exceptional. Nora Bayes, assisted by Irving Fisher, the young baritone who was recently in the Ziegfeld Follies,-has one of the best acts she has presented in several seasons. Fisher, who has an excellent baritone voice, works well with Miss Bayes and their duets were a pleasure to listen to. Rarely have two singers with so pure enunciations been heard together in vaudeville. Their act will be further reviewed under New Acta. . Aveling- and Lloyd carried off the com- edy honors of the bill and seldom has a talking act aroused tbe laughter which continually broke into their clever routine of patter. Nora Baves led them on, arm in arm, and, after the three had done an amusing little dance, they went into their comedy observations upon things past and present and soon had the audience con- vulsed with laughter. Both are of pleasing personality, and they work with the snap and precision of a team which thoroughly enjoys every minute of its work. As a result they get the audience with them immediately. A Keystone comedy film closed. W. V. ROYAL "(jus Edwards' Bandbox Revue" walked away with the Royal show on Monday night, with Georgie Price and Cuddles Ed- wards getting second honors, while the first honor, went unreservedly to Vincent O'DonneU, billed as the "Kid McCormack." At the end of the act, he was forced to take several separate bows in acknowledge- ment of the applause. But, be that as it may, the young McCormack is taking too much upon his little shoulders when he attempts the big aria from "Pagliacci" and, on some of the higher notes, it is very apparent that be is straining his voice. A feature of the act was Georgie's song about his first pair of long pants. Tbe Captain Kidd number was also rendered well. The finale possesses quite a flash, but is a trifle too drawn out before the climax is reached. The act is expensively staged and well put together, and is an excellent feature on any bill. W. J. Reilly, D. S. N., bid close to the Edwards' act for honors, but gave a shorter routine than usual. He apologized for this fact, however, explaining that bis throat is under a physician's care, so the audience reluctantly excused him after be had rendered three songs. The last num- ber, a patriotic appeal, was sung with true fervor, and It would be a good idea for many performers to listen to Reilly from the front and learn the correct way of put- ting over a war song. Tbe show was opened by the Garci- uctti Brothers, billed as European novelty hat throwers, although bat throwing con- stitutes bat a portion of their routine. A bull dog seems to enjoy himself bouncing a big rubber ball into the audience, and this furnishes the comedy in the act The hat throwing is well done, but tbe acro- batics on the bouncing mat, with which the act opens, furnish the best part of tbe turn. Leonard and Willard have an original line of talk in their skit, "In Outside Inn," and put over their songs well. There is no reason for them to clown the verse of the "good. girl" song, and the number would go over better with this eliminated. The pair have a very acceptable offer- ing, which will be more fully reviewed in the New Acts department. Bonnie Gaylord and Iva Lancton, those "two corking girls," have an original offer- ing, and the audience seemed to like the idea of being afforded a glimpse into tbe "inside" of stage life. Tbe song and dance at the beginning of the act was done very well, and the dialogue in the dressing room caused a number of whole hearted laughs. Miss Lancton does some classy high kicking at the end of the turn which brings the act to a dandy close. These two girls have an offering which is certainly away from the beaten track of Bister acts. Kelly and Galvin, a straight and an Italian, put speed into the bill with their witty cross fire dialogue and business. The Italian, who explains that he cannot speak very good English yet, because be has only been in tbe country twenty-two years, is a capable comedian and gets the most out of the funny lines that are alloted to him. The other man does his share of the work capably. The "sweet tooth" song, with which they close differs from the rest of their routine, bnt is put over nicely and pleased the Royalites so much that the team was called bsck for an encore. Helen Trix and her sister, Josephine, closed the first half of the show in a num- ber of original songs written by Miss Helen. The act would be greatly improved by giving the sister even more of a chance than she has at present, for she possesses a charming personality and has a way abont her that is all her own. "Oriental Love," a Keystone Comedy, closed the show. H. G. NEW BRIGHTON A program which seemed possessed of but little speed on Monday afternoon re- ceived a whirlwind start at the hands of Marguerite and Sterling, in their fast and sensational acrobatic turn. The pair work hard and put over their stuff very effect- ively. It was unfortunate that the wardrobe of Lou Lockett and Jessica Brown did not arrive in time for the matinee, making it necessary to curtail the act and eliminate the final number, which is the team's sur- est and best bet. Despite the fact that the wardrobe had been delayed, the team worked hard, and, what they did, was done well. Miss Brown, in her street clothes, tried her best to surmount the difficulties under which she labored, and her nifty dancing and high kicking fell in for a good share of applause. Lockett put over several songs in a capable manner. The first few minutes of the Arnaut Brothers' offering dragged, the falling chair business being greatly overdone. The ac- robatic portion of the act was well re- ceived. Ben Welch delivered a monologue which the audience seemed to enjoy, with Ben Roberts, the orchestra leader, working overtime as a feeder for him. There are several bits in Welch's act which remind too much of burlesque, and here and there an old gag should be eliminated. For in- stance, at least a score of big and small time comedians are springing a gag con- cerning tbe quickest way of going to a hospital. In his "imitations" it might be well, in these serious times, for Welch to substitute other characters in tbe places of Abraham Lincoln and General Grant. Ralph Dunbar's Maryland Singers, clos- ing the first half of the bill, present a well staged act that makes op in class what it lacks in strength. Tbe honors of tbe turn go to Grace Springstead, the con- tralto, who possesses a deep, rich voice, which she was allowed to bring oat in an old darky solo number. The prelude to the act is very melodious, makes a fitting introduction, and is well rendered. After intermission, Maria Gambarelli, and Alfredo de la Roque, with their Corps de Ballet, consisting of six girls, pre- sented a novel terpsichorean offering which is high class and artistic in every respect. The entire act has been staged and pro- duced by M. De la Roque, who is to be commended for the way he conceived tbe various numbers. Particularly worthy of mention is the Danse Egyptienne, which is a gem of its kind. The turn' was originally caught at the Harlem Opera House as a New Act, and, as such, a more detailed review of the rou- tine will be found in the New Acts de- partment. Conroy and Le Maire, presenting their skit, "For Sale, a Ford," have a rather mediocre vehicle. The monologue in the first portion of the act, drags considerably, and Le Maire, although working in black- face, has little, if any, of the darky dia- lect. Tbe automobile business in the act is by no means new, having been used by this team as far back as March, 1015, when they appeared in Klaw and Erlanger's "Fads and Fancies." Also, this part of the act is'too reminiscent of Tate's "Mo- toring," which practically every vaudeville fan bas seen at some time or another. Maude Lambert and Ernest R. Ball made quite a bit in their repertoire of Ball com- positions. Ball apologized to the audience for having a "frog in bis throat" (to use his own language), and It was apparent that he was forcing his voice at times. How- ever the popular composer gave the Brighton patrons their fall money's worth while Miss Lambert did her share and looked very stunning in her pink dress and black hat. Jack C. McLallen and May Carson pleased in their skating novelty, although the scenery for their "Palais Dn Blanc et Noir" was late in arriving. H. G. '