Variety (January 1919)

im t*,. 22 SHOW REVIEWS « S^' ^ ;»;• ^. Ski*:.- t/ir PALACE. Clover cuss thia Jack Nonrorth. Ho baa a gift for getting Bomethlng out of a song that no ono else seems to attain, A year or no ago a female vaudeville artist essayed a single singing turn, and among her character dlttleB was one about a wench who sang ballads In a cabaret while waiting on the tables, getting her food and drink orders mixed up with her alt- ties. The idea was unique, but somehow she was unable to put It over. Norworth has taken It and changed it to "Mickey Slater," a Celtic Blnglng waiter, making It land with good effect Down next to closing, and without utilizing the ordiestra, employing only a pianist on the stage, be sang seven numbers, Interspersed with occasional chatter, and departed leaving the audience ready and willing to accept more. They Included dainty llttlo comedy songs, char- acter numbers, a coon ditty with "blues," a ballad and so on. He was In rare term Monday night and sped along for 23 minutes, with every Indication he could have remained longer. A painted board outside heralds htm as "Toung Jack Norworth." This Is not In keeping with the becoming Iron gray hair which adorns the Bide of bis heod. All of the songs be ren- ders are original and were well selected to suit his engaging personality. The show opened with the Pathe News Pic- torial and the first turn Is Olympla Desvall and Co., equestrienne with her tralDed horses and dogs, who offer an Imposing flash for an open- ing act. They go through an excellent routine, finishing with a magnificent grouping for the finale. Burley and Burley, unprogramed, replaced Natalie and Ferrari. They are a couple of Eng- lishmen, who offer a rather crude act made up of cross-talk, one attired as a chappie and the other as a sloucby Scot, and some good hand- stands and contortion work. Their attempts at comedy talk are no better than when reviewed In. tbls publication five years ago, with such Jokes as "Are You Scotch by birth or absorp- tion," bat their acrobatic efforts are well worUi while. By a rearrangement of the bill from the afternoon show Toto, the clown, was assigned to follow Burley and Burley. who flnlsb with contortion work, and which forms the basis of Toto's act (New Acts). Bob Hall, with a pleasing personality, submitted some "extem- poraneous" rhyming with an easy, swinging delivery.- He calls for topics from the audience which he sets to verse, and when "Roosevelt" was yelled he resorted to a recitation verse in which he employed such phrases ae "more brainier," "to you and I," "he didn't want any big funerals, he wanted small ones," -"there the mlnlstor spoke away" and kindred ludicrous expressions Intended as Impressive .eulogies of the lately deceased ez-President, -which elicited a riot of applause and neceesl- tated a "speech." This being the case at New York's premier vaudeville house there doesn't appear to be much incentive for es- ' saying anything really artistic. Nan Helperln closed the first part with har song cycle. She appeared to be afflicted with a cold, for she has fallen back Into her former rather monotonous method of Intoning- She had a "cream Bpot" for her second week. Jimmy Hussey, assisted by William Worsley, resumed after the Interval with his latest set- ting, consisting of a special drop, and both wearing military uniforms. Why the pair - should find it necessary to change their cos- tumes and drop isn't apparent, tor barring a little alteration In the cross-talk at the open- ing the act Is the same. Worsley still employs seven "ha-has" for every one of Hussey's wheezes, starting most of them before Hnssey has fully reached the point of the Jokes. They '-still have the "Yemca" gag, but one of the "new" bits of humor Is the reading by Hussey of a letter be received from his brother, who Is a prisoner In Germany, saying be Is being well treated and with a postscript announcing their other brother was shot that morning for complaining, .^ack Norworth, wn> is od the same bill, brought that one with him from London and pulled It at the Palace about three years ago. Bessie Clayton is back with her splendid aggregation of dancers, which includes the Canslnos, Tom Dingle and John Oluran. Dln- §le and Oluran received as much approval for leir efforts as the star. The announced with- drawal of Dingle and Oluran from the act will probably prove a serious loss. Harry Watson, Jr., assisted by' Joseph Her- bert, Jr., another man and two girls, presented the telephone scene and the "Battling Dugan" bit from "Odds and Ends." It la clal-ed to be the biggest laughing act In vaudeville. If It Isn't, one cannot think, offhand, of anything that pulls a greater number of laughs. It cer- tainly l3 screamingly funny. The American Red Cross pictures of scenes In Belgium closed the performance. Jolo. ALHAMBRA. On popor a hard bill to dope. Qeorge White and bis quartet of Broadway Beauties beadllDlDg and Muriel Worth with her dance divertissements at the bottom of the bill. How- ever, the Harlcmltes seemed to have it doped out, for there wac no great crush In front' of the box ofllce trying to get Into the house Monday night. The house was about two- thirds filled on the lower floor that evening and that seemingly included some quantity of paper --■ Ttro-bill"'WES-u graafone fcrtliU'number of M's and W's that were employed in the billing of the names of thoso present It might have also stood for "many women," for there were surely enough in the show. With the W's there were Window, Worth, White, Wood and Wyde and the M section brought forward Mehllnger, Meyer, and Mllette. At that there will be some undoubted contusion in the future regarding the two Muriel* on the bill, bcth Misa Window and Miss Worth Slaving the samu Christian name. The show was somewhat switched atwut after the matinee. Mr. White and Miss Worth swapping positions In the first and second Lalf. At that the two hlta from a popular applause standpoint did not go to the acta that held. the most prominent billing, for Muriel Win- dow in the first half walked away with the applause honors, and In the after iDtermlssion Artie Mehllnger and his partner, Oeorge Mey- ers, walked away with the hit of the show, following the White act. Joele O'Meers opened with her wire walking, getting a fair return of applause on her two numbers, but not getting a band on her work on the wire. Lou and Jean Archer followed, and after having planted three numbers and a little talk, walked away with a hit, on the strength of a "Movie Mame" song, a tough number which they are using to close. The Eva Taylor-Lawrence Orattan Co., in their sketch, "Reggie's Qift (wherever they get title from is a mystery), got a few laughs In the third spot. The act Is rather old-fash- ioned farce and not quite big time vaudeville. All of the situations .and a great many of the lines are so old that one can see them coming. Muriel Window (New Acts) followed with a t)IeBsant little offering, and although she seemed to be suffering from something of a cold, she surely won the admiration -with her work. There Is one thing about her act, and that Is that It may pull a lot of men folk after the first night who will repeat for the show, especially If thsy sat In the orchestra the first time, for they will want to see more of her and take to the balcony on subsequent visits. Miss Worth cloeed the first half, pre- senting only three numbers on this occasion and omitting the "Madam Butterfly" bit which she baa been using heretofore. That was the most artistic of the act She was, how- ever, a greater favorite with the Alhambra audience this week than the prerloos week at the Colonial. Prank Wood and Bunee Wyde (New Acts) opened after Intermission and with a pleasant little singing and comedy turn fared nicely. George White (still with but three girls) followed. George seems to be working out a fine little commercial advertising scheme. 'Where he formerly asked for but a cigar when the Frisco imitation was asked of bim, he now suggests certain brands of cigarettes for a cigarette number. Thdt two brands should at least keep him in smokes If tbey do not slip him on the side. Then when he gets down to the possibility of chewing gum (even though Will Rogers' Imitation was not called for Mon- day night) he makes a special point of plug- ging Wrigley's product and following It by mentioning two of the brands that they turn out That showed something more in the side line. Next to closing Arttie Mehllnger got the re- ception of the evening, and George Meyere came second. Three numbers and the med- ley, in addition to the opening bit, were the contributions. The closing act programed as the "Up<lde Down" Mlllettes, but billed as "The Flying Mlllettes" (New Acts) flnlsbbd the bill at 11.10 with the audience walking to a great extent but to applause from those who waited to see the act which Is a distinct novelty in Its way. Fred. ,.-i:OLONIAL Comedy jammed up at the very start of the Colonial bill Monday night and the audience had enjoyod the laughing period so strenuously the show seemed over long before It did come to an end around 11.80. With Nan Halpertn doubling from the Palace It had Manager Eagan doing some tall hustling to make the right position for her as well as care for Mar- guerita Sylva, also entitled to prominent bill- ing and front Illumination. The way the house quickly filled up Indicated the week should be a bully one. The Four Botaes opened the show, and a circus turn. Brands and Derrick, cloeed, the riding act ap- pearing so late It was remarkable so many stuck. The Bolses have a tyi>e of aerial act on the bars that brings little new to vaudeville, but the presence of a young woman, neatly and attractively dressed, who has quite a ^rlish personality, enhances the value. Clinton and Rooney were second. Miss Rooney Is still there with the dynamic anima- tion, and she sets a fast pace for other femi- nine vaudevllllans. Mr. Clinton should have heard what a soldier from overseas remarked to members of his party and he might cut out that recitative comment about the burial with thlngamatxibB and whatyamacalllts. Moran and Wiser landed. The duo are paying more atten- tion to a rolling of the bats on the floor, which is most effective. Williams and Wolfus were fourth. Williams and the comedian of the pre- ceding turn affected a stage type somewhat similar, even style of dress ks well as facial contortions being alike to such an extent that for a minute those not familiar with the turns thought that Williams was "on" from the turn ahead. The Williams and Wolfus act has been slightly changed, with the former solid comedy bits retained for the usual laughing succosa. The first part was closed by Miss Sylva, who was a bigger hit than imagined, and the audi- ence showed unusual appreciation. Miss Sylva was In splendid voice and her singing proved one aftto real treets ot the show.' TtFr each- number she enunciates clearly and Intelligently. A popular number, "A Little Birch Canoe," was splendidly received by the house. After Intermission Harry Breen waded in for a comedy clean-up, while the laughing returns of the Harry Green sketch were never in doubt That some soldier who took offense at the Clin- ton burying "bit" shouted "that's a lie" when the WMnaiTB husband In the Grec.i playlet de- nounced the Salvation Army as a fake on the entrance of Green, Miss haiporin, without hor vaudeville pro- duction embelUshmonts and setting accessories, appeared next to closing and the audience took her right Into the cockles of its responsive heart despite the late hour. The wedding num- ber of Miss Halperin's Is a classic, Its lyrlcaJ ooostnictlon, as well as the artistic way por- trayed by Miss Halperln rounded up the offer- ing to a well-deserved success. Branda and Derrick closed. Mark. RIVERSIDE A hard working stage crew and a pleased audience con easily tell this week's show Is crowded with novelty. Every act came In for Its share of appreciation excepting the head- liner. Miss Phyllis Nellson-Terry, who over- stayed her allotted time with the rendition of two poems, applauded more for their delivery. Miss Terry Is singing three numbers In a yel- low spot light In full stage. Her nonchalance and lack of action In delivery detracts from the result Only the righ notes In the "Couplets Du MysoU" bring any Interest For a beadllner Miss Terry is asking the audience to take too much for granted with too little effort In put- ting over her material. The show Is a speedy arrangement In sing- ing, dancing and laughing, with Rooney and Bent and Lydell and Macy dividing the honors at the finish by doubling In the George N. Brown turn. The show Is opened by the Dut- tons with their flashy equestrian act, nicely costumed and set and well worked up by the two men and women and two beautiful white horses. Count Perrone and Miss Trlx Oliver occupied the second spot with a singing act It seems to rely wholly on the "Count" title. "In the Dark" proved to be diverting, with an air of mystery. The dramatic tension of the playlet handled by the seven principals was relieved at times by good comedy. The act scored at the finish with its comedy twist and a good tag line. Harry and Emma Sharrock's mind reading presented in the form of a skit outside of a country fair not alone brought many hearty laughs, but the speed vrith which they worked caused the folks to marvel at their ability. Tbey really scored the first hit of the bill. Miriam and Irene Marmeln and Darid Schooler offered as pretty a musical and danc- ing novelty ns has graced this stage this sea- son. After intermission Lydell and Macy w<m many big laughs with "Two Old Cronies." The Lydell dance Is worked In better now at the finish and the act proved a sure fire hit Miss Netlson-TeTry followed and Rooney and Bent offered "Up Town." Rooney never worked harder or better. Miss Bent made an attractive picture and did a corking good "straight" for Pat At the finish Rooney Is now Introducing Imitations and offers a good one of Frisco and thsn attempts the eccentric dance as done by Louis MosconI, which proved to be but a hard try and at best a laughable travesty. At the finish he makes a short speech announcing the novelty act to follow, which Is the walking stunt introduced by Brown. In the Brown act Rooney and Lydei: Jo some comedy work while Brown works the laughs up for them, making the closing turn a comedy as well as a novelty feature. The same thing was done at the Colonial last week by Rooney and JImmie Barry, and both acta have be«i routed together for 16 weeks. The show was out at 11.30. FIFTH AVENUE. The vaudeville program at the Fifth Avenue Monday evening 'jad several side Issues, the principal one being tSe Houdlnl serial (20 chapters) closing the performance. Previous to that Houdlnl himself appeared for a brief tail' There was a screen announcement that those wishing to donate delicacies to wounded soldiers could leave their names and addresses when passing out, and Clarence Senna, the pianist with Lillian Fitzgerald, sang a memo- rial to Colonel Roosevelt Mr. Senna's Intent may have been of the very best It was an ode set to a hymnal metre and of course eulogized the Colonel, but a stage entertainment was not the time nor place for it In the afternoon Miss Fitzgerald had stopped the show, when Mr. Senna did not use the memorial. In the evening after he had sung it Miss Fitzgerald died away to nothing In the way of applause. She had exited after finishing her French soubret number when Mr. Senna, for a solo bit announced the ode, plac- ing a small sheet of paper on the piano, to get the words If tbey failed his memory. Other- wise Miss Fitzgerald should look after her opening number . It's not any too good and drags badly, .giving her a weak start. Lew Dockstader Introduced Mr. Houdlnl, who spoke of the serial, Its personal dangers to him while In the making, and Mr. Houdlnl also mentioned some "inside stuff" about heroic picture taking. Not alone Mr. Houdlnl's speech had an egotistical touch, regardless of his ef- fort not to permit it to so appear, but there was no especial reason yipy he should have gone behind the scenes in other pictures. As a magician be knows t;y training that the manner of putting over anything In stage work should never be divulged, and the same goes for pictures. Doesn'* Mr. Houdlnl think that his personal appearance before his picture Is shown tends to dispel the illusion created by the Dim? It takes enrerythlng away from it, aiid iLa iroto-ol tUo eifli,"uotwitliutaneiDfe- ihe- billlng and so on, just becomes Houdlnl, the man who stood on the stage but a few moments before. There might be some value to a per- sonal appearance after the 10th episode, but not earlier, and particularly the first or sec- ond. In dolnc this Houdlnl Is not only testing his popularity with the vaudeville public, he is endangering it. Mr. Dockstader has swung into a very cur- rent stride as a monologlst His remarks are always pertinent pointed, sharp and humor- oui*. He mentioned the metropolitan roadK try- ing to secure an 8-c«nt fare, wanting to know If they were short of money why they paid Shonts $93,000 a year in salary. He might add something about Shonts' trolley card bulletins and also say as gratuitous Information it would be an excellent scheme of the Interborough It it gave five cents' worth of service before ask- ing for more. Mr. Dockstader added that If the Shonta companies wanted to make money and couldn't do it they should turn the man- agement of the road over to the Y. M. C. A. The "bigger browed the house the better they will like Lew Dockstader now, hut his monolog doesn't call for loud laughter, nor is there any red fire applause bits In It, Just solid enter- tainment that must appeal to everyone vrith sufficient intelligence to understand it His talk is quite the brightest at present of any single talker In vaudeville, and for timeliness la only shaded by Bill Rogers' comedy remarks. Olga MisbluL and company closed the show, with a slight confllctlon between the early work In that act and the turn of Alec and Dot Lam (New Acts) opening the perfermance. But the MIshka act Is so sightly It did not Interfere, although they felt the pall left by the Senna verse. Synco (New Acts) was No. 2, and George Howell and Ck>. (New Acts), next followed by Mabel Burke In the Harry 'Von Tilzer animated song of "Jim." Harry Delf with a pianist followed, doing an outline of the former act with a couple of navy songs included, Mr. Delf making it quite plain he has but recently been released froni* the service. His first naval number was "I Miss the Bounding Waves," and another, "The Navy Made a Man of Me," while for an encore, besides some dancing, he did a recitation of "The Mutiny of the Cootlee," rather well writ- ten in a comedy vein, but still open to doubt for value through Its subject matter. Placed earlier in the turn might give Mr. Delf a.better line upon it for bis encore reception sounded light which could have been caused by the recitation. The "album" number is retained. Mr. Delf might ask bis pianist to relax now and then, forcing a smile even if be doesn't feel like It The pianist does not convey to the audimce as a pianist should that he thinks well of his principal. Mr. Delf's pitnlst acta more like a member of the orchestra In this respect Delf did IS minutes. He needs a little more work and some rearranging, but the turn seems all right, for he is lively and lik- able In It, now, as always, a good performer who somehow doesn't seem to land where be belongs. ' The Fifth Avenue Monday night was capacity before 8. The house is doing remarkable busi- ness in this wave of theatrical patronage that is all over the city. The size of the audience la only limited by the capacity down thue now twice daily. 8lme. ROYAL Following the news reel, the 'Van (Cellos opened in which the man of the turn does all the work, foot Juggling, the woman assisting In handling him the objects, tor which purpose she makes three changes of costume. Wlll>ert Embs and Helen Alton found favor with a cl<?an, classy song and piano act Miss Norton and Paul Nicholson with their dramatic car- toon cleaned up with a travesty-burlesque sketch. Oeorge McFarlane took an encore to again sing another of Harry Do Ckwt&'s songs. De Costa is hia piano accompanist He used two of his numbers that evening, Mr. McFar- lane Is still using George Cohan's "When You Come Back," but has cnaLged the lyrics to a different version. Emma Haig and Lou Lockett scored closing the first half. During the Intermission a "com- munity chorus" of four song hits popular in the last decade of the 19th century seemed to please the audience. Kitner end Reaney, be- fore a special seaboard drop in "one," opened after intermission. One man essays a blackface stowaway type, the other a naval commander. They scored with their chatter and vocal solot^ but the encore double number, a Frenchy "papa" Gong, seemed out of place. Trtxle Frlganza, next to closing, had them with her all the time with her "block party" act Rosalie Stewart's production of "What Girls Can Do" is hurt bs its length. With the talent in it including the Morin Sisters, the Warren Girls, Queenie Dunedln, Ardelle Cleaves and Pauline Chambers, and the material furnished by Creamer and Layton, It ought to prove a vaudeville feature. Contrarlly, Tuesday night in the closing position, it could not hold Ine entire house because of the drag In the first halt AMERICAN ROOF. The roof sure draws heavy attendance; Tues- day night was no exception, though not capac- ity. But it was an apathetic bunch, and with good reason. No question about the first halt show being under standard. It was one of t:iose iaughless bills, with the comedy film featured over the show. Fatty Arbuckle in "Camping Out" was in lights and its comedy eclipsed anything the bill could offer. The first section never did get going, and only one turn pretended to start anything and that was Qaynell and Mack (New Acts), a dancing couple. On the bills the featured turn CWkCJ la&fttiisclon.' It was Billy'King's '^t-' pioits in Africa" (New Acts). The second part was stronger, but it failed to deliver a bit either. Vlollnsky came nearest to that score In next to closing, having stored his "genius" act and returned to his former single. There are no changes in the routine, and Vlollnsky proceeded without excitement un- til the finish, when the tired piano player in a cafe at 4 a. m. woke them up. They called