Variety (September 1918)

18 BUY BONDS COLUMBIA. Tho Columbia put on a good bill (or its Sunday concert and it had a big bouse at tbo matinee. There has been a decided change at the Columbia .since the opening this season. Last Sunday tho program ran through without a hitch, not a sound excepting applause, and nb' waits on the stage. The Columbia man- agement appears to have stopped bow stealing and' encore taking. It's a big step forward and makes for a much better performance. One of tho turns had a weak member that ordin- arily would have been laughed at by the Co- lumbia gallery but the upstairs allowed the turn to finish without a murmur. It was reported abound the theatre that Fred McCloy, tho general publicity representative of the Columbia Circuit and who takes charge of the Columbia at the Sunday. matinees, had brought the miraculous change about through a system of his own, but Mr. McCloy refused to give any information, Anyway, it Is pe- culiarly noticeable, and If tbo Columbia con- tinues as it was last Sunday, It will be one of .the very best places in Now York for acts to appear in, for the ono day a week, particu- larly as the house draws many managers and agents among its Sunday attendance. The show opened with Cblng Ling Soo and Co., Chinese magicians, who were not Chinese and did a disjointed mystery turn to slight applause. That, with Smith and Lesle, No. 2, are under New Acts. Charles Dingle and Co., in an Irish singing skit, had one good mem- ber as the Irish mother and one poor one as the daughter, with Mr. Dingle singing the songs. The story Is old, of an Irish boy from America, returning disguised,' to reclaim his sweetheart. The act Is small time altogether. Hill and'Ackerman were about No. 3 with their smooth tomfoolery, appearing now wlth- * out the former woman assistant, but having in its place the "Impersonations of well ad- vertised men you have - never met" as first done by Harry Watson In "Odds and Ends." It makes a very good bit for these two men. Kcane and Edwards (Now Acts). Roy La Pearl, who followed, with his com- pany of two and doing tho act mostly -from the audience, where two Italian boys are sooted, has not changed the turn any since first, presenting It. That leaves the act small time only. It's a good comedy turn In spots, but has not been gathered In for best results. About when It should end, It restarts with a "piano act." La Pearl, outside of the talk, appears to be a steel guitar player, though be also plays tbe piano. Trimmed down properly, the act could show once around on the big time, but hardly in its present shape. Following Harry and Grace Ellsworth (New Acts) was Qeorge Uosener in character Im- personations. He got tbe hit of the bill,' next to closing, but Frank Wilson, straight bi- cyclist, who followed and closed the perform- ance, could be given an equal score. Mr. Wil- son has something new in bicycle riding, ap- pearing alone, without comedy or comedy make-up. Going through some usual straight riding tricks for the opening, he closes with "hands off" riding, doing tricks and riding the safety blcyclo without touching the handle bars or the machine at any time with ■ bis hands. While It Is a pretty late day for any- one to show something new In bicycle riding, Frank Wilson Is doing it, making a novelty act of his neat bicycle turn. He Is of pleas- ant appearance besides. Closing the perform- ance, Wilson held the house for a real hit. 8ime. PALACE. The Palace program started at 7:50 Monday night, with tbe Gardiner Trio (with some- thing of a new act for them) opening the show at that time. This rushed the program through to end before 11.15, tbe objective seem- ingly sought by tbe management. No pic- tures showed at either end of the bill. It brought the No. 3 act, "Crosby's Cor- ners" on before 8:30, and the Avon Comedy Four, In tbelr second week, finished before nine, with Lucille Cavanagh (New Acts) clos- ing the first part. ' Tbe second part was a Four-Morton family reunion and revival, with seven Mortons divided Into three acts, all assembling for a grand finale during and closing the present turn of the Four Mortons, now Sam, Kitty, Martha and Joe. Tho others were Clara Morton, who did a Blnglc turn (New Acts), and Morton and Gloss In their own act, with- out the former house-front drop. Through a baggage delay, Mrs. Kitty Morton and her daughter, Martha, were minus their stage clothes. At first, for the reunion, the six Mortons lined up on the Btage In "one," with a smattering of the old act of the Four Mor- tons, that part where Paul formerly entered asking his father where Centre street was. "Clntor strate" Kitty called It then, and made tho same remark Monday night, while Joe took Paul's former dialog (with Paul watching bis younger brother). "Down two blocks and up ono alley," replied Sam, where- upon Joe continued to a point where Paul broke In saying that was his old stuff. At that Sam made tho sumo old swing at Paul, and Paul returned It with the same old slap on tbo stomach. Perhaps Sam found he couldn't control Joe's slaps, and would take no chances. It's a great reunion, all of these vaudeville favorites, and It starts the old timers? figu.rjtuv •■ Sam-.xaenikvas JW1. Hi— hf and his wife (Kitty) ntnrtcd. There are many hereabouts who recall when Clara as "The Dresden China Doll" (and she was all of that) first appeared with her parents, the Three Mortons, then Pnut, about as young as Joe Is now. making It tho Four Mortons. The Morton children became almost as finished performers an their parents. It would be hard, almost Impossible, to acknowledge Sam Morton has a peer as a performer In his line even now, after all of those years, when he can danco and did dance Monday night, an agile old-timer of whom there Is none any better, now or then. Tho Morton children, Clara and Paul, have made individual names for themselves. They aro Individual features in vaudeville, Clara, now alone, and tbe clever Paul, wtth his pretty and talented wife, Naomi Glass (who appeared with the group tor the final bow). Martha did little beyond dancing. Perhaps the absence of her stage gowns removed some of her assurance before the footlights. Joe seems to be there on the style of Paul, a Juvenile, who can sing, dance and talk. The combined Morton family, routed over the larger nouses, should be a standing box office attraction. They may have accounted for the very large Monday night attendance. \ Closing the performance were LeRoy, Talma and Bosco, with considerable new matter and some added people, it seems. One very good hit of comedy and new is done by Bosco, a "magical melodrama," it might be termed, growing more laughable as It progresses. The turn, greatly aided by the additions and changes, passed away about 23 minutes very pleasantly, and held in the entire house. Bime. RIVERSIDE. The Levolos In their wire act with the woman looks refreshingly young, and in which Lcvolo shows a slightly different rou- tine of feats on the tight and slack wire, opened the show. The Juggling trick and the bicycle stunt at the end of the act are worth while, but the "souse" bit slows up the run- ning. Mae and Rose Wilton (New Acts) occupied the second Bpot, Bobby Matthews, assisted by a dandy com- pany of three, struck an early hit with his fanciful skit, "Tbe Rounder of Old Broad- way." Mr. Matthews first shows a drop of Broadway, which evidently has not been hit by tbe lightless night order, and then in- forms the audience In song that as a rounder he meets various types, interesting and en- tertaining. Matthews sings a.Bong about "life. being a see-saw," which has a well pointed lyric, and finishes with another chorus about characters. Tbe cast takes a bow with him, and the act scored a laughing bit and proved a diverting novelty. That Mr. Matthews does not take all the meat but al- lows the others to gather laughs is a tribute to bis showmanship. The act went very big. Al Sbayne is assisted by an unprogramed comedian who acts as tbe Italian cornetlst In the orchestra pit. Sbayne starts the act by abusing an Italian opera with peculiar vocal Intonations and facial distortions. The cornetlst takes It upon himself "to change Shayne's ideas of the music, and while the orchestra crew are In a heated debate, steps on tho stage and attempts to explain that Shayne's "pipes" are not in good working order. The cornetlst, fed by Sbayne, gathered big laughs and the argument was settled by both singing an old-time popular song in which the cornetlst sang the lyrics and Sbayne interpolated various weird Bounds and top notes In harmony with the melody. Tbe act was the hit of the first part Eddie Foy, assisted by the six little Foys, bad easy sailing. A benefit for the Red Cross is suggested, and the children all do their various specialties, starting with a recitation by Irving and finishing with a whirlwind dance by Charles and Mary Foy. The act closed tbe first part In excellent style, and Foy "made a short speech In which he told the folks that his oldest son, Bryan, was in the service. During intermission Jules Lenzberg offered a new march number called "The March of All Nations," In which the flags of the various Allied countries were shown, and finishing with the national anthem. Miss Juliet (New Acts) opened tbe second half with an act greatly different from which she has shown heretofore. Van and Schenck In their second week, in evening clothes, opened with a new double song, well appreciated, and then did a new double Irish number In good stylo. Van next introduced a new negro comic about essential employment and' Schenck sang a ballad while seated at the piano. A new "Dixie" number with a patter chorus came in for appreciation, and they returned and offered a new comedy "baby" number. As an encore they, sang a new "blues." "The Current of Fun," Introduced by Madam Brundll (New Acts), closed the show. Soveral other "impressions" of farmyard crea- tures wore among the best of the balance of the routine. Ames and Wlntbrop followed with a filv. Their "Ono Moment, Please," started out on high gear but failed to keep .the pace. Ames x got a laugh on his entrance end the first bait of tho turn ran along happily. Ames told Andy Byrne to play the "Deabrosses Street Rhapsody" for the first dance, and the an- tique number brought some giggles. After the Indian number the act sagged and never recovered. Had the pair taken a bow they might have slid Into the sure fire "Qonga Din" bit. But the house didn't know the act was over until the pair were off. They did not reappear and everyone let it go at that. Cooper and Rlcardo, in fourth spot, were not able to start much. True they did not have it soft, figuring the slow going ahead. The team Is offering two new song numbers In "Rock-a-Bye" and "Keep Sending Them Over" and can stand some new comedy material. The running therefore up to the Leonards entrance was not up to standard. After Intermission tbe ebow held tbe pace set by the blackface star and the balance of tbe bill scored. Parsons and Irwin were first to proceed,'* and after the four-minute "drama," livened things with pleasant vocal- izing. "Dreaming of You," "Mother of Mine" and "Popular Operatic Strain" sent them "in" with ease, and the several encores, delivered on earned applause made their score second to Leonard's. —• Bert Baker and Co., in "Prevarication," planted the bill's comedy punch on sixth. Laughs fell thick and fast throughout the 30 minutes or more of the farce,. Mr. Baker was in fine trim, and with several new players assisting, the act looks stronger than last season. The wife character has a new woman and there is a familiar face (not programed) as Bert's office assistant. This man is not youthful but he is funny and helps the going, in fact, is much better than the original player. The Baker turn and Leonard's were respon- sible for a late show, the final curtain falling around 11.25. Tbe Duncan Sisters (New Acts) appeared at five minutes to eleven, and that left General Plsano to enter for the finish at 11.15. Plsano, minus the mountain climbing Hun, Interested with .his clever dis- play of marksmanship and he' held them in. He Is shooting some of'tbe targets from near back of tbe house, running down the aisle for the bit—a novelty. Ibee. COLONIAL. Al Darling has been doing a heap of ob- jecting about the way the lightless nights have played hob with attendance. His per- sistence or insistence must have caused the fuel powers that be to let up Just a trifle for he Is now allowed to light the two corner lamps In the pavement canopy. That helps a little. Monday night there was a real box office line operating and business was noticeably bettor than it has been so far this season. Yet there was plenty of room downstairs. The show got off slowly. The first half of the bill was close to. a blank as to scoring until Eddie Leonard established a "zero hour" hi- closing "iuterfflidsiou'- atid "went over for tho evening's hit (New Acts). They wanted Eddie indefinitely, but even he recognized that 34 was sufficient. Frank Hartley opened, pulling out well enough with his bottle balancing trick. He missed repeatedly, evon fumbling bis saucer, cup and spoon stunt. Mitchell and King, in bird, bugle and farmyard mimicry, edged through, a fair No. 2. Their last bit, an imitation of a cat squabble, saved the turn. FIFTH AVENUE. The Fifth Avenue had 'em banging on the celling Tuesday night. It must have been tbe War Song Contest. Tbe final was for that evening. Ropes were out at eight and they were needed. Tbe crowd kept coming In and the house must have about reached a record in receipts. The contest, running 35 minutes, closed the show, won by "My Belgian Rose" (Feist), sung by Artie Mehllnger. Other contestants were "Homeward Bound" (Feist), the first to be given; then "Hello Central" (Waterson, Berlin & Snyder), "Dreaming of Home, Sweet Home" (Shapiro, Bernstein & Co.), In the' four spot, and "Got to Get Up" (W. B. & S.), fifth. They were the five winners- of the contest on the first five nights of last week. In the list the newest number was "Dreaming of Home, Sweet Home," having a very pretty melody, with a sweet lyric. It looks like one of the best of the later crop of war ballads. The program ran nicely, with the new Arbuckle film comedy In tbe centre of It, "Fatty's" "Cook" bringing a great deal of laughter, not a little of which was secured through Buster Keatoo In It, also that other corking good screen comedian, Al St. John. No particular big bit stood out In the vaude- ville. ■ Clark and Verdi, next to closing, might have secured one with tbelr old act but they didn't with the new material they may be breaking In. There Is a very funny bit about the female statues carried and a good comedy finish, but- tbey will bave to build up the re- mainder of the talk to make the turn rank with their others, their tlallan characters remaining the same. In the older turns on the 6111, Hager and Goodwin, second, did not fare overwell, the turn closing almost cold with their "Day at the County Fair." There are too many an- nouncements of their own' compositions. A wbman plant carried for one helped some for the moment. It was In a ballad. One of tbe two men ts at a piano and the other is a character singer, it seems, first doing a "coon" number. The frameup Is, much along tbe lines of Van' and Schenck, but only the frameup. Merle's Cockatoos opened the show, wtth yousg Miss Merle becomingly and modornly costumed. . There Is an attractive stage set- ting, with the many birds decorating it. They are put through tricks, with some comedy, and it makes an entertaining as well as a "sight" turn. In tbe third spot, Bronson and Baldwin did fairly well, so early, they closing nlcoly with the Hawaiian bit. Ethel Clifton and Co., Fredcrlcka Sims and Co. and Myrle and Delmar (New Acts), Bime. If Miss Chandler continues to draw them in the remainder of the week and for the-rest of the time she is on the circuit, It would bo a good Idea to sign her for a return trip right away. The supporting bill was made up of eight acts and a comedy picture, all pleasing turns and interesting. The first two positions were awarded to Rob- ert Swan and McDonald and Cleveland (New Acts), followed by Evans and Sidney, billed as "The Painters." The men dressed as paint- ers with overalls and Jumpers got oft to a poor start while working on-the ladder, but when they descended and started their cross- fire the turn looked better, and the laughs be- gan to come with more speed. The fat man's comedy and the singing of the straight were their biggest assets, and tbey closed to real . returns.on the comedy song and "nut" dance final. " . Holden and Herron were wild-fire at the Roof. Tbe best part of Mr. Holden's comedy was with a sailor In the first row, who he called "Fred." Mostly all the "gags" he told he'd call Fred's attention to, asking him what he thought of 'em. The real comedy was when he asked Fred to tell Eddie Burch (orchestra leader) be wanted to speak to him. during his partner's solo. The "Gob" got right up and kept shaking Eddie until he almost shook him '— off bis chair. This bit had the audience In a roar, and the couple finished with a war num- ber which sent them over big. Miss Cbandler closed intermission and hung up the bit of the show. She has a pleasing offering, la assisted by a clever pianist, and will please anywhere. Besides? hee regular turn, which lasted about 16 minutes, she had ■ to do three encores, running 25 minutes in all. ' George and Lilly Garden in their xylophone turn -made a neat appearance, the man In white evening dress and the woman in a pretty gown. Their work is along the ordinary run of players of this instrument, consisting of overtures, operatic pieces and "rag" selections. They were given a good finish at the Root and could have returned for an encore. Walter D. Nealand and Co., in "Everything But the Truth," two men and a woman, started slowly with the husband and wife working, but when the third party, a "lawyer from upstairs," reached the scene, It brightened up and the turn ran better. Cook and Lorenz were given a reception at their entrance and responded with some good cross-fire which bad the patrons laughing all the way. The men have a good routine which earned them solid applause. The Three Alton- sos (New Acts) closed the show. AMERICAN ROOF. ' Ti niust iinv'o Been trint the* curious" people around 42d street and 8th avenue had to In- vestigate as to who the single woman was who being billed so big at the American wns, and If she deserved her publicity. To satisfy their curiously they attended tho Tuesday night per- formance at the Roof In such large numbers tho business was the biggest thiB senson on a week-day night atop the Roof. Anna Chandler is the single, and is booked on tho LoeW Circuit for a week at each house. 23D STREET. All houses around New York watch for the opportunity of billing some act "direct from the Palace." The 23d' had Its chance the first half, when Williams and Wolfus played the house. The team at the Palace and Royal last week, a tiresome task, worked with as much "pep!* at the 23d Monday night as they did at the biggest house on the circuit. In the next-to-closlng postlon the couple cleaned up so thoroughly that for a time it looked as if the closing act would not be allowed to appear. The Three Eddys closed the show. Bollinger and Reynolds, in a corking good wire act, opened it to a fine start. Billlnger's comedy on the tight bounding rope got him one laugh after another, and his clever tricks earned him enough to send him over with some to spare. Belle Myers, doing the same act as she did back in 1911, but not doing it as well, held down the second position, and slowed up proceedings. Miss Myers might have bad a chance to make tbe big time at her debut, but not now. Although her cos- tumes are nice, she has little else. The clos- ing Scotch song and dance was about the best, and earned a passable score. Brady - and Mahony in their laugh pro- voking "Cruise of a Doughnut" hung up a well earned hit.' New talk has been added to their old routine, but the old "gaga" are still scoring the big laughs. The comedy cross-fire had the bouse in an uproar, and the parodies on popular songs brought the men back for an encore. Lord and Fuller in a pleasing novelty turn followed and scored. . The man as an English "Johnny" and the woman in tights make a good combination for the better small time houses. Their work consists of Juggling, untcycle riding, comedy talk and a violin solo by the woman. Tbe act Is a novelty, and should do. Sid Townee & Co. (New Acts) In "A Story in Songs" were In the fifth spot, and proved eligible. Sherman and TJttry, looking well in their riding habits, went through their singing and dancing turn In good form, and • finished strong. Mr. Uttry's recitation about the race-horse was a pleasing bit, and added to the applause. Wm. S. Hart In "Riddle Gawne" ended tbe bill p.t 11. HAMILTON. The Dancing Contest, an extra added fea- ture at the Hamilton every Monday evening, may bave been the reason standing room was at a premium that night. At least two couples out of the four entered could put It over many a small time dancing act traveling tho circuits at the present moment Canfleld and Cohan In the next to closing spot were tbe only seasoned act on tho hill, and they -scored ■the-.4a»*5hlng-nlt- of- the rwrforroence.--•-■■• Gold, Rcece and Edwards opened with skat- ing and dancing (New Acts). Arthur Lloyd and Nat Nazarro, Jr. (New Acts). Following the Semi-Weekly News reel, which split the bill at this point, came Emma Stevens with a song, and was well liked. After Canfleld and Cohen- kept the audience In good humor for about 20 minutes of continuous laughter the Welling Trio went through a fast routine of acrobatics (New Acts). Constance Talmadge In "Good Night, Paul 1" the feature film, closed.